Kateel: Sri Anjaneya Temple and Vyayama Shale (R), Sasihitlu in association with Youth Empowerment and Sports Department of Mangaluru is organizing the Nandini river festival on March 20 and 21. The event will take place below the Nandini river near Sasihitlu.

Since the lockdown started, there has not been any activity in this area and hence through this event, we hope to boost the tourism department here, said Nithin Suvarna, member of the organizing committee for Nandini river festival.

The poster for the festival was released by Tourism Minister C.P Yogeshwar at his chamber in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru.

“Events like these will help to create a brand for ourselves which will attract attention from travelers,” said Yathish Baikampady, member of the organizing committee. Kite festivals, beach events and river festivals will create a recall value among the tourists and when they think of travelling, they will think of our places, he added.

He stated that this will create a positive atmosphere for the people around the area and the organizing committee as they try to come back to a normal state after the pandemic. “The event will create an atmosphere where people can come and experience our hospitality and remember us during their future travels,” he added.

The event will be inaugurated on March 20 at 6 p.m. in the presence of the Tourism minister C.P Yogeshwar along with the ministers, MLAs, District Commissioner, Mayor of MCC and other dignitaries.

Yathish said that the highlight of the event will be the ‘Nandini Arati’ (pooja) which will be a spectacle to watch on both the days at 6:30 p.m.

The events in the festivals include Kayaking, water sport, boat race, standup paddle, swimming and dance competition. A food festival will also take place at the Tranquility Bay on the banks of the Nandini River. 

The event is co-sponsored by Nandini Dairy Products and Karnataka tourism department.