Ganesha and his myriad forms in Hubli-Dharwad

Ganesha and his myriad forms in Hubli-Dharwad
The Hindu

Episodes re-created from mythology to `Operation Footpath'

ENRAPTURING SHOW: The episode of a battle between Babhruvahana and Arjuna taken from Mahabharata is depicted at a pandal in Hubli.

HUBLI: Episodes from mythology and incidents from the recent past have been recreated to show Lord Ganesha in his myriad forms.

This is what attracts people from neighbouring cities, towns and villages to Hubli-Dharwad during the Ganesha festival, and this year was no exception.

After a slow start (as it usually takes two days for the technicians to complete the stage arrangements after the consecration of the Ganesha idol) the roads in Hubli-Dharwad are crowded particularly in the evenings owing to the increase in the number of visitors who have come to see Ganesha in different forms.

Hundreds of "pandals" have been erected by the Gajanan Mandals and each portrays Ganesha in a different form.

The episodes that have been recreated include: Ganesha becoming "Gajamukha", Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Giri to protect the gopalas and gopikas from the fury of rain gods, the battle between Babhruvahana and Arjuna, the test of saint Babaji, a devotee of Lord Balaji, Ravana's devotion to Shiva, Draupadi's "swayamwara", Satya Harishchandra beheading his wife Taramati... the list goes on.

Several Gajanan Mandals have taken pains to recreate something new.

While in Shilvantara Oni, the temple of Tirupati Timmappa has come up, in Myadar Oni there is life-sized replica of the rath of Sri Siddharoodha with the idol of Ganesha in the guise of Siddharoodha swamiji.

At Maratha Galli, the public have to go through a cave to have a darshan of Lord Ganesha.

Ganesha in the guise of Chatrapati Shivaji, Sai Baba, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and various other deities can be seen across the twin cities.

Re-creations

And it is not just mythological events that have been recreated.

The recent "Operation Footpath" conducted by the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation has become a part of the Ganesha festival. At Divate Galli in Hubli, the demolition of encroachments with the help of an earthmover has been played out with an idol of Ganesha holding a walky-talky and giving instructions.

The Circuit Bench of the High Court of Karnataka, for which the foundation stone was laid recently, is a part of the festival too.

The Gajanan Mandal at Yemmikeri in Dharwad has constructed a model of the circuit Bench of the High Court where one can find Ganesha as the presiding judge.

Though the donations for the public celebration of the festival have been low this time, owing to the recent "Operation Footpath", the Gajanan Mandals have managed to get funds for the arrangements.

During the demolition drive many encroachments were cleared because of which many a shopkeeper has to take up repair works.

As a result, some of them have cut their contribution.

The festival is being celebrated with much fanfare and, thanks to the good rain this year, villagers are actively taking part in the celebrations.

Traffic curbs for Ganesha festival

Traffic curbs for Ganesha festival
The Hindu

HUBLI: In view of the ongoing Ganesha festival, the Hubli-Dharwad police has imposed restrictions on vehicular movement on several roads in Hubli.

The traffic restrictions will be in force from September 12 to 17 between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m., Narayan Nadamani, Police Commissioner, said in a press release.

Vehicular movement has been banned on the following roads: Ganeshpet Circle to Shivaji Circle, Bammapur Oni to Hirepet, Shettar Circle to Bammapur Oni, Shettar Circle to Shilavantar Oni, Desai Oni to Bankapur Chowk, Hirepet Cross, Boospet to Bankapur Chowk.

The police have made provisions for movement of two-wheelers and three wheelers on some roads, but have banned movement of four wheelers on such roads. The roads are: Broadway, Durgadbail and New Mysore Store to Javali Sal, Brindavan Circle to S.T. Bhandari Shop.

Light motor vehicle owners who want to go to J.C. Nagar or Koppikar Road from Ganeshpet Circle can take the route of Station Road- Coen Road.

Mr. Nadamani said that between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. on these days, entry of city buses to the City Bus Stand has been banned and no city bus will be originating from the City Bus Stand. Temporary arrangements have been made at the City Railway Station for picking and dropping commuters.

Liquor shops to be closed

The Commissioner has ordered the closure of liquor shops, bars and restaurants in Dharwad on the days of the immersion of Ganesh idols. The order will be in force from 6 a.m. on Tuesday to 8 a.m. on Wednesday .

VTU to promote e-learning to curb tuition menace

VTU to promote e-learning to curb tuition menace
The Hindu

Satellite-based system to be used

DHARWAD: The Visvesvaraya Technological University plans to arrange for lectures through internet and satellite systems to combat the menace of private tuitions.

Vice-Chancellor K. Balaveera Reddy told presspersons here on Sunday that tuitions had assumed menacing proportions and the university planned to arrange for lectures by experienced teachers.

Mr. Reddy was inaugurating a two-day workshop on mathematics arranged under the auspices of the SDM College of Engineering and Technology.

Online examination

Mr. Reddy said the university ranked third in the country and first in the State among the universities that had online instructions and examination system.

It had already conducted two examinations.

Mr. Reddy said the study of mathematics is crucial for technological and industrial progress.

Without mathematics, technology would not have grown.

While some teachers came prepared for classes, there were many who came to classes unprepared.

The new system will fill the gap in the instructional levels and help students prepare well, he said.

SDM Educational Society Vice-President Surendra Kumar presided over the programme. M.N. Bujurki of the Postgraduate Department of Mathematics of Karnatak University was felicitated by SDM Education Society Secretary N. Vajrakumar.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Gulbarga University, Dr. Rudraiah, was the chief guest.

Kalavaibhav is a big hit

Kalavaibhav is a big hit
The Hindu

Exhibition-cum-sale of various products attracting people
FINELY CRAFTED: People having a look at the products at `Kalavaibhav' in Hubli.


HUBLI: There are toys and snacks for the children, Khadi and handloom products, ayurvedic medicines, medicated footwear, woollen products and even a scooter that runs of battery.

"Kalavaibhav," a 10-day exhibition-cum-sale of products manufactured by small-scale industries, craftsman, members of self-help groups has products for everyone.

The exhibition, organised under the auspices of the district administration in association with the District Industry Centre, has succeeded in attracting people. Even the sales of the products have picked up.

What makes the exhibition look different is the availability of various products under one roof.

There are toys from Channapattana, rugs and woollen products from Rona, honey products from Gokarna, Khadi silk products from Kolar, ayurvedic medicines from Morab in Dharwad district. Added to them are Khadi products from Hubli, Dharwad, Bidar, Chitradurga and Ranebennur.

There are also bamboo products and cane furniture, the famous Kalghatgi cradles. And you can even test ride the battery-operated scooter at the exhibition. The scooters, which are exempted from road tax are products of Ennes Engineering, a small-scale industry in Harihar.

About 140 stalls have been set up at the exhibition.

The State Government passed an order on August 24, 2005, directing district administrations and the district industry centres to organise exhibitions to encourage small-scale industries, self-help groups and craftsman in their respective districts. Dharwad district is the first to organise such exhibition.