HUBBALLI: An idol of Lord Ganesha was installed at the Idgah Maidan in Hubbali after the Karnataka High Court upheld the HDMC authorities’ decision to allow the celebration of Ganesha Chaturthi at the ground.
The Karnataka High Court, in a late-night hearing on Tuesday, upheld the authorities’ decision to allow Ganesha Chaturthi at the Eidgah ground. The court dismissed the plea filed by the Anjuman-E-Islam and refused to interfere with the decision of the authorities to permit the celebration of Ganesha Chaturthi at the Idgah Maidan.
Preparations could be seen taking place early in the morning following the High Court’s order last night, and a Ganapati idol was installed.
Speaking to ANI, convener, Rani Chennamma Maidan Gajanan Utsav Mahamandal, K Govardhan Rao, said that the prayers will be conducted in a traditional manner for the next three days.
“Puja will be conducted in the traditional manner and we’re going to celebrate this festival for three days as per the direction of Municipal Corporation. We’re going to follow all instructions that have been given,” Rao said.
Stating that Rani Chennamma Maidan belongs to the Municipal Corporation, the convener said that they had made a request to allow the celebration of the festival. “Rani Chennamma Maidan belongs to the Municipal Corporation, so we had requested on behalf of Samiti Mahamandal that this Ganapati Utsav should be allowed here. We’ll install the Ganapati idol within half an hour,” he said earlier this morning.
Meanwhile, in a late-night hearing, Justice Ashok S Kinagi of the Karnataka High Court dismissed the plea filed by the Anjuman-E-Islam and refused to interfere with the decision of the authorities to permit the celebration of Ganesha Chaturthi at the Idgah Maidan in Hubbali.
The court noted the ground in dispute belongs to the respondent authorities and they are carrying out regular activities there. The court said that the prayer for interim relief sought by the petitioner does not deserve merit and the same is rejected. The court also said that the petitioner is not entitled to the benefit of the interim order passed by the Supreme Court.
Some Hindu organisations had submitted an application to install Ganesha idols and hold cultural activities on the said property. The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) commissioner had granted permission for celebrating the Ganesha Chaturthi festival under certain conditions. This decision was challenged in the Karnataka High Court by the Anjuman-E-Islam.
Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated every year with great fervour in India with thousands of devotees thronging temples and ‘Ganeshotsav pandals’ to offer their prayers. Ganesha Chaturthi was celebrated on Wednesday and 2022 marks the return of its celebration after two years of Covid-induced restrictions.
Also known as Ganeshotsav, this auspicious ten-day starts with Chaturthi Tithi and ends on Anantha Chaturdashi. Devotees of Lord Ganesh, the god of wisdom and good fortune, marks his birth during the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. (ANI)