New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the temple town of Udupi on Friday. Security in the area has been tightened. Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said that the police, along with several government departments, are working together to ensure safety across the town.

PM Modi arrived in Adi-Udupi and is leading the roadshow from Bannanje Circle to Kalsanka Circle. After the roadshow, he will visit the famous Sri Krishna Mutt to offer prayers. He will also attend a programme at Gita Mandir near the temple and later address a public gathering.

ಉಡುಪಿಯ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಮಠಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ಲಕ್ಷ ಕಂಠ ಗೀತಾ ಪಾರಾಯಣ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸುವ ಅವಕಾಶ ದೊರೆತಿರುವುದು ನನಗೆ ಗೌರವದ ವಿಷಯ. ಗೀತಾ ಪಠಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಸಮಾಜದ ವಿವಿಧ ವರ್ಗಗಳ ಜನರನ್ನು ಒಂದೆಡೆ ಸೇರಿಸುವ ವಿಶೇಷ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಇದಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಮಠವು ನಮ್ಮ ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ವಿಶೇಷ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ. ಶ್ರೀ…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

PM Modi posted on X that he feels honoured to visit Sri Krishna Matha and take part in the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana, calling it a spiritually significant event inspired by Sri Madhvacharya.

Heavy security arrangements

More than 3,000 police officers from various ranks have been deployed in Udupi, including officers brought in from over eight districts. Ten SP and additional SP-rank officers are part of the deployment. The Special Protection Group (SPG) is handling the main security arrangements and is coordinating closely with local police. Teams from the NSG, Centre for Counter Terrorism, and other central and state agencies will assist in anti-drone and counter-terror operations. The overall security plan is being supervised by ADGP (Law and Order) Hitendra R, while IGPs Sandeep Patil and Chandragupta are managing ground operations. Security rehearsals were also held on Thursday.

The police have issued strict guidelines for people attending the Laksha Kanta Gitotsava. Only those with valid passes will be allowed inside, and late entries will not be permitted. Items such as water bottles, bags, bouquets, cameras, drones, laser lights, and flagpoles are banned. People have been ordered not to climb nearby buildings and to immediately report if anything is felt suspicious. Food for participants has been arranged at Vidyodaya School Maidan. Parents have been requested not to bring children below three years for safety reasons.

The Udupi SP also clarified that a small fire in a Manipal restaurant on Thursday, which led to two LPG cylinders bursting, was caused by a short circuit and not any suspicious activity.