Udupi / Mangaluru: Coastal districts welcome New Year with festive spirit

Team Udayavani, Jan 1, 2025, 8:40 AM IST

The last sunset of year 2024 at Panambur Beach (Credit: Udayavani / Satish Ira)

Mangaluru/Udupi: The coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi celebrated the arrival of the New Year with great enthusiasm.

Music, dance, and entertainment events kicked off on Tuesday evening in various parts of Mangaluru and Udupi and continued until late into the night.

Tourists flocked to beaches like Panambur, Tannirbhavi, Someshwar, and Ullal. Hotels, resorts, and homestays were nearly full. Popular spots like Malpe and Kaup also witnessed celebrations, with visitors from other districts and states joining the revelry. At midnight, the New Year was welcomed with cake-cutting and fireworks at several locations.

Special prayers were conducted at temples and mandirs, while churches held special Eucharistic services. Star hotels and restaurants in Mangaluru hosted exclusive programs, attracting youth and families. Parties with unique menus, entertainment, and DJ events added to the festivities.

Police Deployment

Tight security arrangements were in place under the Mangaluru Police Commissionerate from Tuesday evening to ensure safety and prevent untoward incidents. Police conducted checks at checkpoints to curb drunk driving. Similar arrangements were made in the Udupi district, with police stationed at key locations. Patrols and inspections continued throughout the night.

The beaches in Udupi district saw large crowds in the evening. New Year celebrations were also held in places like Udupi and Manipal, where people welcomed the New Year with cultural events and cake-cutting ceremonies at hotels, resorts, and apartments.

Kodagu Attracts Tourists Amid Traffic Congestion

Madikeri: Kodagu, with its lush greenery, witnessed an influx of tourists during the New Year celebrations. Thousands of visitors gathered at Raja’s Seat in Madikeri to witness the mesmerizing sunset on the year’s final day.

Tourist spots like Abbey Falls saw heavy footfall. Homestays and resorts across the district were fully booked. However, traffic congestion on routes from Madikeri to Sullia and Kushalnagar disrupted vehicular movement.