A view of the immersion procession of idol of goddess Durga in Hubli on Monday

Hubli, October 15, 2013: Hundreds of people took part in the immersion procession of the idol of Goddess Durga in Hubli on Monday. The procession marked the culmination of Navaratri festivities organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Rajastani Yuva Manch, which had begun from October 5.

The grand procession began from Ramdev Mandir at Gabbur Galli. Hundreds of people raising slogans in praise of Goddess Durga joined the procession, which ended at the artificial pond near Mahatma Gandhi Park.

The annual ‘Jamboo Savaris’ organised to mark the festival attracted hundreds of people from in and around Dharwad on Sunday and Monday. Two separate processions were organised, the first by Dharwad Dasara Jamboo Savari Utsava Samiti, on both days. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H.K. Patil inaugurated the ‘jamboo savari’ on Sunday and Mallikarjun Swami of Murugha Math inaugurated the event the next day.

Several folk troupes including those of Puja Kunita, Nagari, Benki Karaga, Yakshagana, Mallakambh, Dollu Kunita, Chandi Vadya, Thamate and Gombe Kunita.

On Sunday four caparisoned elephants led the procession carrying the idol of Bandemma Devi, joined by 45 folk troupes. The savari began at Ishwar Temple at Gandhinagar and ended at Kalabhavan.

“While Mysore Dasara was meant for the glorification of the Mysore rulers, Dharwad Dasara is meant for celebrating togetherness and equality,” Mr. Patil said. He praised the organisers for including folk arts, and suggested they add rural games to the tableaux in the coming years.

Source: The Hindu, October 15, 2013