Hubballi: This time, the Ganesha festival is quickly followed by Muharram. Some old areas of Hubballi have grounds where festivals like Ganesha and Holi are celebrated and Muharram is observed. Three Ganesha mandalis have joined hands with three Islamic associations to install Ganesha idols and Panjas at the same ground.Visitors to the pandal of Sri Bammapur Vighneshwar Utsav Samiti in Bammapur Street can find Sadiq, Sunil, Shankar and Saleem there busy managing activities. Devotees offer their respects at both places.“We have a small ground called Garadi Mane where Ganesha, Holi and other festivals are celebrated and Muharram is observed. Irrespective of caste and religion, all participate in all festivals here,” Santosh Shettar told TOI.Sayyed Sadat, member, Muslim Jamat Committee, added that when youths realise that Ganesha festival and Muharram are close to each together, elders of Bammapur Oni, Goudar Oni and Chindi Oni convened a meeting. Some elders recalled that both Ganesha and Panja were installed together 36 years ago. Samiti members decided to hold both events together.In Gawali Galli, Bashasab Dharwad , moulvi, Gawali Galli Jamat, and Manjunath Katkar, former president, Jawahar Yuvak Mandali in Gawali Galli, Hirepet, recalled they had seen a joint installation of Panja and Ganesha 36 years ago in Hirepet area. “At a meeting 15 days ago, we extended all support and cooperation. When Hubballi suffered communal hate in 1990s, we kept protecting each other. We’re committed to living and celebrating all festivals together,” said Katkar.It’s quite similar in Bidnal area where Sri Gajanan and Muharram Utsav Samiti is formed by Sri Basaveshwar Yuvak Mandal, Muslim Jamat and Pragati Mahila Mandal. Flags of saffron and green adorn a tree and there’s a joint welcome board. Mohan Asundi, an organiser, said devotees bring both changevu and kadabu to offer at the pandals.These three spots attract many visitors from other areas of the city and neighbouring towns and villages. “We have seen all Ganesha idols in Hubballi but were thrilled to visit Bammapur Oni, Gawali Galli and Bidnal. We felt proud and felt this is the real India,” said Kalesh, Basanagouda, Virukaxi, Andanayya from Annigeri.

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