Thousands attend Hubballi Ganesha immersion processions

Thousands of people gathered in Hubballi on Friday to watch colourful processions carrying Ganesha idols for immersion, marking the conclusion of the city’s 12-day public festival. The Central Business District remained crowded for several hours as spectators lined roads, balconies and terraces. Hundreds of participants danced to music from sound systems while processions moved through the city during the afternoon and evening.

At Ganesha pandals, devotees began the final rituals in the morning, including the maha mangalarati. Auctions were also held for puja materials and offerings made to the deity, continuing a practice associated with the final day of the celebrations. Large crowds waited to see two prominent idols, each about 25 feet tall.

Hubballi Ka Raja, from Dajibanpet, and Hubballi Ka Maharaja, from Maratha Galli, were taken through the city before immersion. Restrictions on sound levels did not prevent the use of high-volume sound systems at many locations. At some pandals, organisers instead used traditional percussion instruments, including dollu and jaggalige, along with folk performers.

Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase and senior officers supervised security arrangements. Several police contingents were deployed, with additional forces stationed at sensitive locations along the procession routes. Members of Muslim communities welcomed the processions at designated points.

Religious leaders, elected representatives and officials also attended the formal inauguration organised by the Federation of Ganesha Mandals. Work on the elevated road at Kittur Chennamma Circle affected the movement of the processions. Because of the height of the two largest idols, civic and police authorities selected an alternative route for them.