TN CM Vijay Visits Revered Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple; KRV Raises Black Flag Over Mekedatu Dam Row

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK founder Joseph Vijay visited the revered Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple on Friday and offered prayers to Goddess Mookambika during his first trip to Karnataka since assuming office as Chief Minister.

Vijay arrived at Mangaluru International Airport aboard a special flight from New Delhi before travelling by road to Kollur in Udupi district. Upon reaching the temple town, he briefly stopped at the government guest house before proceeding to the shrine.

Welcomed in traditional style by temple priests with a Purnakumbha reception, Vijay entered the temple draped in a red shawl and greeted devotees and officials with folded hands. The actor-turned-politician offered prayers and sought the blessings of the presiding deity.

The visit drew significant public attention, with thousands of fans gathering around the temple premises hoping to catch a glimpse of the Chief Minister, who was a popular film actor in Tamil films before taking a plunge into politics. Despite intermittent rain, supporters remained at the venue for hours, raising slogans and cheering his arrival. Some enthusiastic fans even climbed trees and nearby structures to get a better view.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay moves beyond usual security protocol, drives himself while departing the Kollur Mookambika temple after offering prayers @XpressBengaluru @CMOTamilnadu @ramupatil_TNIE @vinndz_TNIE pic.twitter.com/NtYXTmJ0zd

— Divya Cutinho_TNIE (@cutinha_divya) June 12, 2026

To manage the crowds, security was tightened across Kollur, with a large police contingent deployed to regulate movement and ensure the smooth conduct of the visit. In view of the high-profile pilgrimage, the temple administration altered its regular schedule, keeping the shrine closed between 2 pm and 4 pm instead of its usual afternoon break from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm.

Vijay's visit is notable as it marks his first pilgrimage to the famous temple, which has long been associated with several prominent leaders from Tamil Nadu. Former Chief Ministers M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa had also visited the shrine in the past to offer prayers.

Karnataka: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay arrived at Kollur Mookambika Temple and received a traditional Purnakumbha welcome. District officials and temple authorities received him. Security arrangements were tightened at the temple, and devotee entry was restricted during the… pic.twitter.com/wAyJXfxqQh

— IANS (@ians_india) June 12, 2026

At the airport, Vijay was received by Karnataka Health Minister U. T. Khader and senior district officials. During the reception, Dakshina Kannada Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju K. presented him with a book on Swami Vivekananda.

TAMIL NADU CM VIJAY DONATED SILVER SWORD TO KOLLUR MOOGAMBIKA TEMPLE

Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay at Kollur Shri Moogambika Temple, Karnataka.
Right from Mangalore airport to Kollur, people queued on both sides of road to CCB wet up Vijay.
The temple was crowded… pic.twitter.com/SCk6xKqZ75

— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) June 12, 2026

However, the visit also witnessed political protests. Activists of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a demonstration along National Highway 66 in Udupi district by raising black flags against the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister over the long-standing dispute surrounding the proposed Mekedatu irrigation project on the Cauvery river. Police later detained several protesters to prevent disruptions during Vijay's journey.

CM Vijay was spotted driving the car himself as he left the Kollur Mookambika Temple premises in Karnataka after offering prayers pic.twitter.com/HxTLNWsNOo

— Vasudha Venugopal (@Vasudha156) June 12, 2026