Some villagers in Navalgund don't install idol at home

HUBLI: People across India rely on Lord Ganesha to lead a hassle-free life. But those who share a common surname in Haalkusugal village of Navalgund taluk in Dharwad district think otherwise. Strange it may sound, but they believe that installing the idol of the very "destroyer of evils" at their homes would spell doom to their family.
About 50 households having the surname Gali have stopped installing the idols at their homes for more than two decades now.According to the villagers, the Galis put an end to the decades-old custom after a fellow villager committed suicide on the festival day.
His sudden demise sent shock waves among the members of the Gali family who were in a celebration mood after installing the idol. "The man who committed suicide was healthy and had no strong reason to take the extreme step," a villager said, adding that Galis decided against installing the idols fearing trouble.
However, Shekappa Gali, like some others, is not ready to buy the theory that the person committed suicide without any reason. Striking a rational note, he says that the man might have had lost huge money or property in gambling -which is common during festivals - and that might have drove him to take the extreme step. But still, Shekappa does not want to hurt the sentiments of his clan by installing the idol.
For the Galis, Ganesha Chaturthi has been a low-key affair when compared to others in the village. However, there is no restriction on Galis involving themselves in the sarvajanik Ganeshotsava (celebrations in the public) or installing the idols in public places.