Mangaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has cancelled his planned visit to Coastal Karnataka at the last minute, missing two major Dasara events scheduled in Udupi and Mangaluru on Monday.
The cancellation was confirmed in a press release issued by B S Sridhar, Officer on Special Duty to the Deputy Chief Minister. The statement cited unavoidable circumstances but did not provide a specific reason for the change in itinerary.
Shivakumar was scheduled to attend the inauguration of the women’s Dasara celebrations at Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Udupi before travelling to Mangaluru for the inauguration of Mangaluru Dasara.
Uchila Mahalakshmi Temple event affected
According to the original programme, Shivakumar was scheduled to visit Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple at 3 pm on October 12 to inaugurate the women’s Dasara celebrations.
The temple, located in Udupi district, is among the important religious centres in the coastal region. Its Dasara celebrations form part of the annual Navaratri festivities, which bring devotees together for religious observances and cultural programmes.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s planned participation was expected to mark the formal inauguration of the women’s Dasara event. However, following the cancellation of his coastal tour, he will not attend the programme as scheduled.
The official announcement did not clarify whether another dignitary would take his place at the inauguration.
Mangaluru Dasara inauguration also affected
Shivakumar was also scheduled to inaugurate Mangaluru Dasara at 6.30 pm on Monday.
Mangaluru Dasara is a prominent annual celebration in Dakshina Kannada, drawing devotees and visitors to the city for religious rituals, cultural activities and festive programmes. The celebrations are particularly associated with Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s visit had been included in the festival schedule. His cancellation means he will not attend the planned inauguration.
The announcement came shortly before the scheduled events, requiring organisers and participants to proceed without his presence. However, the cancellation of his visit does not, by itself, indicate that either festival programme has been postponed or cancelled.
No official information in the initial announcement indicated changes to the events themselves.
Official release cites unavoidable circumstances
The press release issued by B S Sridhar confirmed that Shivakumar’s coastal tour had been called off but did not elaborate on the circumstances behind the decision.
The statement did not identify any alternative engagements or provide a revised itinerary. Further details about the reason for the cancellation were not included in the initial communication.
The last-minute change affects two scheduled engagements during the ongoing Navaratri and Dasara season, when religious institutions and cultural organisations across Coastal Karnataka host special programmes.
Dasara celebrations continue in the coastal region
Despite the Deputy Chief Minister’s absence, the cancellation announcement did not indicate that the Uchila women’s Dasara celebrations or Mangaluru Dasara inauguration would not proceed as planned.
Both events form part of the region’s festive calendar and are expected to draw participation from devotees and members of the public.
Any changes to the individual programmes, including arrangements for inaugurations or substitute chief guests, would need to be confirmed by the respective organisers.
The immediate development is the cancellation of Shivakumar’s scheduled visit to Udupi and Mangaluru. The official release cited unavoidable circumstances, with no further explanation provided in the initial announcement.