The streets of Hubballi got soaked in myriad colours as thousands of people celebrated Ranga Panchami (celebrated on the fifth day of Holi) on Monday.
With Hubballi considered a communally-sensitive city, there were several restrictions on vehicular movement, heavy bandobast on several stretches and some were declared ‘no man’s land’. In the central business district where business establishments and shops had remained shut and market areas deserted, the revellers moved from one locality to another boisterously greeting everyone and spraying and smearing colours on other revellers.
Senior citizens too had their share of enjoyment and they played holi after a assembling near parks and places of worship in their respective localities.
In Kamaripet and surrounding areas of Hubballi, children armed with ‘pichkaris’, water guns and water balloons were a common sight.
Young girls waited on balconies and rooftops to splash colour on passers-by. Young girls’ groups and couples on two-wheelers too moved from one locality to another greeting their acquaintances in the locality.
At various locations, members of the Muslim community took part in the celebrations.
With ‘Hubballi Halagi Habba’ aimed at reviving the traditional way of celebrating the festival gaining popularity year after year, its impact was seen on the Ranga Panchami celebrations too.
Several folk troupes playing percussion instruments like ‘jaggalige’, ‘halage’ and ‘tamate’ were invited to perform during the celebrations this time.
