Shivaratri draws huge crowds of devotees in Hubballi

Pic: A huge crowd of devotees flocked to the Shivaratri Jatra Mahotsav of Sadguru Sri Siddharoodha Swamy in Hubballi on Sunday, with devotees arriving from across the stateHubballi: Large number of devotees flocked to the Shivaratri Jatra Mahotsav of Sadguru Sri Siddharoodha Swamy in Hubballi on Sunday, with devotees arriving from across the state and Maharashtra.Devotees arrived, some on foot and some in vehicles, shouting slogans like "Shri Siddharoodha Maharaj ki Jai", while members of several organisations distributed water and fruits.On Sunday, which was the day of Shivaratri, devotees visited the mutt in large numbers and sought the blessings of Sadguru Siddharoodha and Gurunatharudha.Mahashivaratri Puja programmes were held at various temples, including Ishwar, Ramalingeshwara, and other temples.A Mahashivratri vigil was held at the Sri Ramalingeshwara Temple in Unkal cross on a grand scale. Thousands of devotees visited the temple and made offerings.Devotees arrived at the historic Chandramouleshwara Temple in Unakal and stood in queues since morning to have darshan of the idol. A large number of devotees visited the Ishwar Temple on Railway Station Road in Hubballi for Mahashivratri, made offerings and worshipped the god. They offered dates, holige, and kadubu. Bhajans were held throughout the day and night.Bhajans were held as part of Mahashivratri at the nearby Budanagudda Basavanna Devara Temple. Religious rituals were performed and offerings made to the deity.Chariot festival todaySiddharoodha Swamy Rathotsava will be held on Feb 16. On Feb 17, on the new moon day of Shivaratri, at 5am, the idol of Sri Siddharoodha will be bathed in Bhasma. At 6.30pm, Ganga Arudha Aarti will be performed. On Feb 18, at 6pm, the Shivaratri festival will conclude.Traffic diversions in Hubballi on MondayTraffic will be diverted in Hubballi on Monday for Sri Siddharoodha Jatra mahotsav from 11am to 11.30pm. Hubballi-Dharwad city police said that a temporary vehicle traffic diversions will be made during the Palakki Utsav and Rathotsav at Siddharudha Mutt.For vehicles coming towards Hubballi from Karwar Road and Kalghatagi, the route changed to enter Hubballi city via Tarihal underbridge through the bypass route.For vehicles coming from MT Mill Cross towards Indi Pumpa Circle, the route changed to go via Chatti Math Cross, Kamaripet PS Cross, New English School, Bankapur Chowk, Gabbara, or to bypass Gokul Road via Vani Vilas Circle.For vehicles coming from New English School Cross towards Indi Pump Circle, only light vehicles will be allowed to travel on this route.For vehicles coming from Akshay Park Circle towards Murudeshwar Factory, only light vehicles will be allowed to travel on this route.The police said a separate parking system was provided around Siddharoodha mutt for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and other vehicles coming to the fair.In case of heavy traffic, temporary re-routing of vehicles will be done as per convenience.