Hubballi Turns Out in Force as Ganesha Idols Taken for Immersion
Hubballi's central business district stayed crowded for hours on Friday as thousands watched the immersion processions that ended the 12-day Ganesha festivities.
The central business district of Hubballi remained crowded for several hours on Friday evening as large numbers of people turned out to watch the immersion processions of Ganesha idols, bringing the 12-day public celebrations of the festival to a close.
Hundreds danced to music played on high-decibel sound systems, while thousands more watched from roadsides, balconies and terraces of buildings along the procession route.
Though the processions began in the afternoon, activity at the pandals picked up on the final day, with rituals to bid farewell to the deity starting in the morning. Devotees took part in the concluding maha mangalarati and other ceremonies with religious fervour. As is customary, puja materials and offerings made to the deity were auctioned after the rituals, drawing large bids.
Crowds waited until late in the night for the two main attractions of the festivities — the roughly 25-foot idols known as Hubballi Ka Raja at Dajibanpet and Hubballi Ka Maharaja at Maratha Galli — to be brought out in procession.
Restrictions on sound limits did not appear to dampen the mood, and only a few pandals replaced high-decibel systems with traditional percussion such as dollu and jaggalige, along with folk troupes.
Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase and senior officials supervised security arrangements, with contingents of police personnel keeping watch over the processions and additional forces posted at sensitive locations.
As in previous years, members of the Muslim community welcomed the processions at designated points. Religious heads, elected representatives and officials also attended the formal inauguration organised by the Federation of Ganesha Mandals.
Delayed work on the elevated road at Kittur Chennamma Circle slowed the processions, and the height of the two giant idols meant they were taken for immersion along an alternate route finalised by civic and police authorities.