11-day public celebration of Ganesha festival begins in Hubballi-Dharwad

The 11-day festivities pertaining to the public celebration of the Ganesha festival began in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad on Monday, with hundreds of Ganesha Mandals spread across the twin cities installing idols of various forms and sizes with religious fervour.

Throughout the day, processions carrying the idols of Lord Ganesha were taken out, and some of the giant idols, like the 24-feet-tall ‘Hubballi Ka Raja’ of Dajibanpet in Hubballi, were taken out at night before being installed in specially erected, customised pandals. The other giant idol, a 25-foot-tall eco-friendly ‘Hubballi Ka Maharaja’ at Maratha Galli in Hubballi, was made at the huge pandal itself and was taken out in a procession for immersion on the 11th day.

The processions were led mostly by vehicle mounted sound systems followed by revellers dancing to their heart’s content and some by folk troupes like ‘dollu kunita’, ‘jaggalige’ and others. The police had made elaborate security arrangements along the route of the processions.

The Ganesha pandals in the twin cities are a major attraction during the festival, drawing thousands of people from Dharwad and neighbouring districts, who travel in groups to witness the grand spectacle. Skits on mythological characters and idols designed on various themes are special attractions during the 11-day festivities.

At Idgah Maidan

Meanwhile, amid much fanfare, an idol of Lord Ganesha with a saffron flag was installed at the Idgah Maidan adjacent to Kittur Chennamma Circle in Hubballi. The practice began in 2022 after the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation permitted the installation of idols, and the High Court upheld the corporation’s authority to permit it. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, legislators Mahesh Tenginakai, Lingaraj Patil, S.V. Sankanur, and others visited the pandal later in the day and sang bhajans.

A portal

Meanwhile, apart from making elaborate security arrangements and traffic diversions, the Hubballi-Dharwad police, for the first time, have launched a website to assist the people visiting the Ganesha pandals.

The portal https://ganeshdarshan.hdcitypolice.com has details of the Ganesha pandals and parking spaces earmarked for visitors. The website also offers assistance to visitors in finalising their shortest route to visit the Ganesha pandals of their choice.

While the festivities last 11 days in Hubballi, the celebrations conclude on the ninth day in Dharwad. A series of religious and cultural events are held as part of the celebrations.