The 383rd Shivaji Jayanti was celebrated with fervour in the twin cities on Saturday, with members of the Maratha community took out processions and motorcycle rallies to mark the occasion.
This time it was mainly the youth who participated in the processions in Hubli. Sporting saffron-coloured headgear, they covered the thoroughfares of Hubli on foot, while seniors sat atop decorated vehicles that were part of the procession.
This year, however, folk troupes were missing in action. Their place was taken by music systems and the huge sound boxes piled up on one another, atop vehicles. The youths danced and waved flags bearing a portrait of “Shivaji Maharaj” as popular patriotic Hindi songs were played.
A huge portrait of Shivaji was mounted on a vehicle and taken around the city. Earlier, various organisations offered puja to the portrait.
Various organisations such as the Shivaraya Yuvaka Mandal, the Sri Shakti Yuvak Mandal and the Maratha Mahamandal held separate functions to mark the occasion.
Gurisiddha Rajayogindra Swami offered flowers to the Shivaji bust at Bani Oni and addressed members of the Maratha community. In Dharwad, various programmes were held at the Vidyaprasaraka Mandal as part of the celebrations. Kalaghatagi MLA Santosh Lad took part.
