In India, especially Maharashtra, the wave of Ganesh Chaturthi has taken people off their feet to dance on roads with the idols of Lord Ganesha. In Chabbi village of Hubballi taluka in Dharwad district of Karnataka, a popular Ganesh festival is celebrated as Chabbi Ganeshotsava.
Contrary to the white idol of Lord Ganesha in North India, Karnataka worships the Lord who is covered in red sindoor. In Chabbi Ganeshotsava, the idols are installed at home while the darshan is allowed for the public. People throng in large numbers to get a glimpse of the red-coloured Lord Ganesha idols that are beautifully decorated and worshipped with all prescribed rituals during this time of the year.
The history of Chabbi Ganeshotsava goes back to 1827 when Shri Guru Krishnendra Swamiji instructed the Kulkarni family of Chabbi to worship a red-coloured idol Ganapati to obtain prosperity. A son was born in the Kulkarni family within a year of the installation of Vara Siddhi Vinayaka Ganapati. Since then, Ganeshotsava has been continued continuously until today. This tradition is followed to this day by the successive generations of the Kulkarni family. Various houses of the same family install crimson Ganesa idols ritualistically on Chathurthi day. Many people visit Chabbi during this festival to seek blessings from Lord Ganapati and fulfil their wishes. This year, the 198th Ganeshotsava celebration will be taking place in Chabbi village.
The Hindu devotees believe that their wishes will be fulfilled if they worship crimson Lord Ganesha idols. It is inaugurated for three days annually. Another special feature is the 21-inch vermilion Ganapati. It is believed that Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the Ganesh festival to bring people together on Independence Day., however, it was started half a century earlier in Chabbi village by the Kulkarni family.
Lord Ganesha’s idol, which was first installed in one house, now has been expanded to seven houses of the Kulkarni family. A large number of devotees have flocked to see Sindura Ganesha and police security has been deployed across the village. Chabbi Ganeshotsavam is celebrated like a fair and special buses are also run from Hubballi.
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