Hubballi yet again witnessed vibrant celebrations of Rangapanchami as part of the Holi festivities on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE

It was that time of the year again when the whole of Hubballi gets soaked in myriad colours on account of Rangapanchami (celebrated on the fifth day after the Full Moon) as part of the Holi festival and this year, the celebrations were more vibrant and hueful.

Ignoring restrictions on vehicular movement and the barricades on certain road stretches in the central business district and around sensitive areas, a large number of people descended on the streets of the commercial city on Tuesday to celebrate the festival of colours, which later left them drenched in various hues.

Motorcyclists did not mind taking alternative routes to reach their destination to take part in the revelry and this time, more young women joined in the celebrations, dancing to their heart’s content to the thumping and loud DJ music.

The devout offering puja to Kamanna during Rangapanchami celebrations in Hubballi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
KIRAN BAKALE

There was no ban on rain dance and high decibel DJ music at the Kamanna pandals this time. And, the number of pandals went up this time. The music of traditional drums like the halagi, the jaggalagi, which used to be heard during the celebrations of the previous years, got drowned this time, amid the loud DJ music.

The most-happy were the young girls and boys who swarmed these pandals to indulge in revelry. Youngsters soaked in varied hues and some donning bizarre wigs and masks and riding triples on two-wheelers were a common sight in Hubballi as the police personnel on duty, who themselves were drenched in colours, chose to ignore them.

Police personnel on duty ended up getting drenched in Holi hues in Hubballi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
KIRAN BAKALE

While youngsters roamed the city on their two-wheelers to take part in the celebrations, children and toddlers had their own space in the neighbourhood of their houses.

Armed with pitchkaris and water balloons, they conducted target practice on every passerby. In the narrow streets of Kamaripet, the epicentre of vibrant Holi celebrations in Hubballi, the practice of pouring bucketful of colour water over passersby from balconies continued unabated.

In addition to water balloons, this time there were advanced equipment like waterguns at their disposal along with waterjets that are usually used for washing vehicles.

As has been the practice, the celebrations concluded with processions of the idols of Kamanna (Lord Manmatha) and Rati being taken out before setting Kamanna on fire. Like every year, the appeals for early conclusion of festivities were also ignored this year too, with the celebrations continuing till late in the evening.

In some localities of Old Hubballi and the central business district, members of the Muslim community joined in the celebrations by welcoming the Kamanna processions and playing Holi with their Hindu brethren.

Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar and other senior officials along with a posse of police personnel, who kept continuous vigil, heaved a sigh of relief as the celebrations concluded peacefully although a bit late.