Colourful processions, a majority accompanied by high decibel sound systems mounted on tractors belting out hit film numbers, night long revelry and participation of large number of people from in and around the city marked the conclusion of Ganeshotsav festivities in Hubballi on Wednesday. Although Ganeshotsav festivities conclude on the 11th day usually, this year it was extended to 12th day as per the Indian almanac. In fact, the immersion processions began on Tuesday evening itself. However, the revellers took their own time to take the idols of Lord Ganesh mounted on decorated vehicles to the immersion tanks.
Amid the barricades and restrictions on vehicular movement along the route of the processions, thousands of people came out on a rather cool night to witness the conclusion of the public celebrations of Ganeshotsav. Barring some Ganesh Mandals, which completed the immersion rituals before 10 p.m., the rest of the Ganesh Mandals in the city carried out the immersion processions through the night and even after daybreak. Decorated Ganesh idols from different localities were taken in the processions from Durgadbail via Broadway, Myadar Oni, Dajibanpet and Kittur Chennamma Circle to the artificial well adjacent to the Mahatma Gandhi Park and another, adjacent to government primary school at Hosur. By the time the last idol, Hubballi Cha Maharaj, was immersed, it was noon.
