Mangaluru : The Karavali Utsava Samiti will organise Beach Festival from December 24, 2014 to January 1, 2015 at Panambur Beach, Mangaluru. 

The cruise facility is the new feature of this year’s Beach Utsav, which is part of the Karavali Utsav, to be held between December 24 and January 1. The cruise will start from Sultan Battery.

 A two-hour ride in the morning will be costing Rs. 300, while the ride during afternoon and evening will be Rs. 500 per head, people can enjoy a cruise along the Gurupura and Netravathi Rivers.

Charandas V. Karkera, the owner of Cruise and Dine, who is organising the event, said during the morning cruise, people will be provided with breakfast, while lunch and dinner will be provided for cruises to be held during afternoon and evening cruise. During the two-hour long ride, people can enjoy the scenic beauty along Netravathi and Gurupura Rivers.

Mr. Karkera will be using three different boats for the purpose. While the big one, which has been in used since Cruise and Dine began its operation three years ago, can accommodate around 150 persons, a medium sized boat will be used for ride of around 30 members. A small boat has been brought for ride for around 10 members, he said. All the three boats will be stationed at Sultan Battery.

The other activities for the beach festival include the food festival that will feature Gujarati, Kodava, Kerala and North Karnataka delicacies. The Gujarati delicacies and cultural performance by the Gujarati groups will be on December 24. The Kodava and North Karnataka dishes will be available on the Panambur beach on December 25 and December 29, said Chief Executive Officer of Panambur Beach Development Project Yatish Baikampady.

Kerala Samajam will be organise a food festival between December 26 and December 28 that will also feature performances by Kalamandalam cultural troupe. The new year celebrations on December 31 will feature performance by local JPL Music band. There will be surfing training at the Sasihitlu during the nine day festival. Skating competition will be held for school students near Nandaneshwara Temple on December 28.

Assistant Commissioner, Mangaluru Taluk, Ashok D.R. said the beach festival will be inaugurated on December 24 with display of kites by Team Mangalore. This team will be holding kite festival on December 28. There will be “Udaya Raga” (recital of music on the beach early in the day) and yoga naturopathy camp on the beach, he said.