The Ganesha idol installed at Bazaar Peth in Nandagad, where a single public idol brings the entire village together during Ganeshotsav
Belagavi: While public Ganeshotsav celebrations often feature multiple pandals and idols in towns and villages, Nandagad in Khanapur taluk has upheld a unique ‘One Village, One Ganesha’ tradition for 83 years. The practice began in 1944, when village elders Basappa Aragavi, Chambanna Kapase, Baburao Dalal, Krishna Gunaji, RK Patil and Muralidhar Nayak formed a public Ganesha committee and installed the first idol at Bazaar Peth. Ganesh Mandali president PK Patil said several programmes, including cultural, religious awareness, dance, singing and drama events, were organised over 10 days to mark the 83rd anniversary. An Indian Culture Awareness Programme will be held on Sept 23, while a Homa followed by mahaprasad is scheduled for Sept 20. Former MLA Arvind Patil said he was happy that the ‘One Village, One Ganesha’ system was adopted in 50 other villages along with Nandagad during his tenure as MLA.
Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
Villagers said lakhs of devotees from surrounding areas and neighbouring Goa and Maharashtra visit Nandagad during the festival. Village elders Mahantesh Wali and Shivanand Turamari said the festival has no barriers of caste, creed, language or religion. We will continue to carry forward this tradition,” they said. “Not a single quarrel has occurred over all these years; we all live in harmony,” they said.
The tradition has since been carried forward by successive generations. Unlike the widespread practice of installing idols in every street and neighbourhood, Nandagad has only one public Ganesha for the entire village. This year, a 5ft-tall idol, crafted by a local potter family, has been installed at Bazaar Peth. Residents across castes and religions come together for the celebrations. “There is no division of streets here; only one Ganesha for the entire village. They added that the village does not use DJ or Dolby systems during immersion. Instead, traditional instruments played by the local Koravi community accompany the procession. Download the TOI App.