Hubballi: The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has granted permission to the Rani Chennamma Maidan Gajanana Utsava Mahamandala to install a Ganesha idol at Idgah Maidan in central Hubballi, subject to conditions aimed at maintaining law & order and communal harmony.
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Mahamandala president Sanjeev Badaskar said preparations were under way to erect the pandal and decorate the Rani Chennamma Circle area. Instead, traditional instruments such as Janaz, Dhol-Tasha and Karadi Majalu will be used to promote heritage art forms and support local artistes, Badaskar said. Badaskar said the festival also aims to bring together people from different faiths, traditions and cultures, while fostering greater community participation.
This will be the fifth consecutive year that the Mahamandala has installed the idol at the disputed ground, which is owned by the corporation and houses an Idgah structure. The Anjuman-E-Islam has permission to conduct prayers at the venue. The installation had triggered controversy during the first two years, eventually reaching the Karnataka High Court after the corporation initially denied permission and Anjuman-E-Islam objected to the move. However, celebrations have since been held peacefully, with organisers complying with conditions laid down by the civic body. The festival will focus on religious traditions, devotional activities, prayers and prasadam distribution. The organisers have decided not to use DJ systems during the installation and immersion processions. Consecration rituals will be performed at noon, followed by religious, devotional and cultural programmes over the next two days. Donors will also organise continuous annadana during the festivities. The corporation has permitted celebrations for two-and-a-half days. The idol will be removed from the ground by noon on the final day, after which the immersion procession will begin with an address by Vishwa Hindu Parishad national secretary Gopal and culminate at the immersion facility in Hosur. Download the TOI App.
The procession carrying the seated Ganesha idol, holding a Bhagwa Dhwaj in one hand, will commence from Moorusavira Mutt on Monday.