Modi in Udupi: Massive crowds greet PM ahead of Gita recital

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Udupi on Friday for a roadshow ahead of the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana at the Sri Krishna Mutt. This marked Modi’s first visit to the city since taking office, with thousands lining the streets to greet him, waving tricolours as saffron festoons and BJP flags adorned the route. The festive atmosphere was amplified by cultural performances highlighting the region’s coastal Karnataka traditions.

From Mangaluru International Airport, Modi traveled by helicopter to Udupi and then proceeded on a public roadshow, which stretched from Bannanje Narayana Guru Circle to Kalsanka. Standing on the running board of his vehicle, he repeatedly acknowledged the cheering crowds, returning flowers showered onto his convoy as supporters showered petals in gratitude. Security for the visit was robust, with thousands of personnel deployed to manage crowds and safeguard the high-profile event.

The Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana programme drew about 100,000 participants, including students, monks, scholars, and citizens from various walks of life, who joined in reciting the Bhagavad Gita in unison. The event was organized by Sri Krishna Mutt and Paryaya Putthige Mutt, underscoring the deep link between faith and public life in the region.

Modi also paid tribute to Kanakadasa, the 15th-century philosopher revered in Udupi, reflecting a long-standing tradition of honoring spiritual figures associated with the temple town. In a further highlight, the Suvarna Tirtha Manta was inaugurated, adding to the religious and cultural symbolism of Modi’s stop in Udupi.

As the roads cleared and the chants faded, the Prime Minister’s visit was framed as a rare convergence of devotion, culture, and politics, signaling the enduring importance of Udupi in the political and spiritual landscape of the region.

Cover image source: Udupi gears up to welcome PM today: Officials 🔗

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