All set for grand Ganesh festival celebrations in Hubballi-Dharwad starting today

With just a day to go, markets in Hubballi-Dharwad witnessed huge crowds as thousands rushed to make last-minute purchases for the festival of Elephant God, Lord Ganesh.

The twin cities are known for their 11-day grand public celebrations of the Ganesh festival and already, hundreds of Ganesh pandals have come up in various localities and busy market areas of both the cities.

As Ganesh Mandals also get artistes and technicians to present skits at the Ganesh pandals, preparations began well in advance and pandals were erected much before the actual celebrations on Wednesday.

Some of the pandals are huge as giant idols are installed during the celebrations. For example, the making of the giant idol of Lord Ganesh by Kolkata-based artiste Appu Pal began several days in advance. The initial structure is made using bamboo sticks and hay before the idol is cast of clay.

As has been done earlier, the Ganesh Mandals have come up with a variety of ideas and the pandals are designed modelled on various historical places, temples and mythological characters.

In demand

Meanwhile, the demand for eco-friendly idols has increased this year because of the strict action being taken by the administration against plaster of Paris idols.

A few hundred PoP idols have already been seized by the authorities and cases booked against violators.

On Tuesday, the markets were bustling with people buying flowers, fruits and paraphernalia required for decorating the idols installed at homes.

People also lined up at temporary stalls set up at the Nehru Stadium in Hubballi to buy crackers.

Meanwhile, following the requisite permission from municipal authorities, office-bearers of the Rani Chennamma Maidan Gajanan Utsav Mahamandali erected a pandal at the Idgah Maidan adjacent to Kittur Chennamma Circle where they plan to install an idol resembling Krishnavatara (Incarnation of Lord Krishna). The permission is valid for three days.