River Fest: Banks of River Phalguni decked up

The banks of River Phalguni had been decked up with colourful buntings and Jetski, ferry and speed boats were lined up to enthral the visitors as a part of two-day River Festival, which began near Kuloor Bridge in Mangaluru on Saturday.

In the backdrop of the concert by ‘Nada Maninalkur’, along with the performances by Thonse Puskal Kumar, ‘Koraga Dollu’ and Drum Jammers on the floating stage, the river festival gave an unique experience to the visitors.
District In-charge Minister U T Khader and Mayor Bhaskar K Moily inaugurated the maiden river festival organised by the district administration and Tourism department.

Khader said, “The river festival is organised for the first time in the district as a first step towards conservation of rivers. States like Goa and Kerala have made use of backwaters to promote tourism. Similar river festivals should be organised in different parts of the district.”

The minister said that measures would be taken to provide subsidy to purchase boathouse and also to continue river festival in the future.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said that water sports and floating food stalls were some of the attractions at the festival. “People can also enjoy peddle boat and speed boat ride durin the two-day festival.”

Temporary jetties have been built at Bangra Kuloor, Tannirbhavi and Sultan Bathery for the purpose of the river festival.

Water adventure sports such as Kayaking, stand-up paddling, floating hotel, along with restaurant, food courts and stalls and cultural programmes were also organised.

The minister also inaugurated the stalls that have come up on 23-acre of government land at Bangra Kuloor by purchasing baskets prepared by a Koraga family from Kundapur. Khader also enjoyed the speed boat ride.

To reach river festival at Bangra Kuloor, people can take ferry ride being operated near Kuloor Bridge or else people can go by road to Kuloor bus stand and travel 2-km to reach the venue.

As a part of the festival, Karavali Chitra Kala Chavadi had organised an art exhibition and a demonstration on the banks of River Phalguni at Bangra Kuloor.

There were also demonstrations on water colour, portrait and line art works by Artists Ganesh Somayaji, Sharath Holla, Dr S M Shivaprakash and Eranna Tippannanavar.