Wed Feb 26 14:27:30 UTC 2025: **Hubballi-Dharwad Celebrates Mahashivaratri with Fervor**
**Hubballi, February 26, 2025** – The twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the surrounding Kittur Karnataka region witnessed massive celebrations for Mahashivaratri on Wednesday. Devotees flocked to Shiva temples across Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, and Uttar Kannada districts, observing fasts and participating in all-night prayers and chanting. Temples were packed from early morning, echoing with the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya.”
Many devotees travelled to temples outside their immediate areas to offer puja. Temple committees made extensive preparations to accommodate the large crowds, providing fruits and dates as prasadam.
In Hubballi, the annual car festival of Sri Siddharoodh Swami, scheduled for Thursday, drew thousands of pilgrims undertaking padayatras (pilgrimages on foot) who began arriving on Wednesday. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) arranged special buses to assist devotees after the festival.
A significant attraction was a replica of the Kashi Vishwanath Shivalinga created at the Karnataka Gymkhana Grounds by the Kshamatha Samsthe, promoted by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Thousands visited the replica, and Mr. Joshi, along with local officials, participated in the Rudrabhishekam ceremony. Cultural programs were held in the evening.
Dharwad also experienced large crowds at Shiva temples, with devotees keeping vigil throughout the night accompanied by devotional music. The overall atmosphere across the region was one of intense religious devotion and celebration.
First Piper 