The 10-day Karkala Utsava in Udupi district will kick start on Thursday, March 19 featuring a variety of cultural programmes and exhibitions.

According to Minister for Kannada and Culture and MLA from Karkala V. Sunil Kumar said that the festival is also an occasion to bring back its glory. He said that maintaining cleanliness will be given utmost importance during the festival as about one lakh people are expected to attend the events till March 20. Tourist spots of Karkala will be highlighted to draw tourists from across the country. Helicopter rides will be the special attraction during the festival for which bookings have commenced.

A Forest Department official said that several theme-based demonstrations will be exhibited to youngsters to make them understand the importance of environment, forest and rivers. An exhibition will be organised near Swaraj Maidan. The festival will be inaugurated at the Gandhi Maidan at 4.30 p.m.