Adventure lovers head to Udupi, Mangaluru
The festival began on the banks of the Phalguni river in Mangaluru on Saturday.
Mangaluru: The coastal cities of Udupi and Mangaluru have turned into destinations for adventure lovers this weekend. While Mangaluru is hosting its first ever two- day river festival, Udupi has organised heli-tourism for the fourth consecutive year.
Both these events are proving to be huge crowed-pullers, especially drawing adventure loving young people to the districts. The Phalguni River, situated to the north of Mangaluru buzzed with activity on Saturday as the river festival was inaugurated by district-in-charge Minister, U T Khader.
While some people made a beeline for river adventure sports like rowing, jet skiing and stand-up paddle, others boarded ferries from the jetty in Kuloor and Sultan Battery to Bangra Kuloor, to enjoy a cruise on the river as part of the festival.
Once back on land following their adventure sports and river cruise, tourists were able to satiate their taste buds at the many foodstalls dotting the grounds nearby, and also enjoy music performances.
While water sports have begun in Mangaluru, the Udupi sky has been filled with the sound of helicopters since Friday.
Tourists have the usual flying package, an adventure flying package and a long flying package where they get to enjoy a copter rider for 15 minutes, to choose from.