BANGALORE: Even as the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is considering a proposal to cut down the number of days for Ganesha festival celebrations at public places, many organisers have raised voice against Palike’s plan.However, a few people are encouraging the Palike’s decision.Siddhivinayaka Bhaktara Balaga in Rajajinagar has been organising Ganesha festival for the past two decades.“We spend lakhs together and look for the sponsors.We approach artistes much before the festival and book their dates by paying advance.We have already distributed pamphlets. The people are eagerly waiting to watch their favourite artistes performing on the stage.At this time, how can BBMP restrict the number of days of festival celebrations?” Manjunath, one of the members from this association said.Srivatsa, a college student who along with his friends is gearing up to celebrate the festival at Basavanagudi, explained that freedom fighter and social reformer Balagangadhar Tilak encouraged the celebration of Ganesha festival as a public event.“Tilak encouraged installation of large idols of Ganesha at pavilions, where people from various communities can meet and mingle.Is Palike going against Tilak’s wishes?” he asked. However, not all the organisations are against the restriction.Obalesh G G, Joint Secretary of Shree Vidyaranya Yuvaka Sangha in Basavanagudi, which is organising “Bengaluru Ganesha Utsava” for the past 49 years says that according to Hindu calendar, ‘Pitru Paksha’ will start after 10 days from the Ganesha festival.It is considered as inauspicious among Hindu community.“Therefore, we will immerse Ganesha on the tenth day,” he said.Sri Jagannath Maheshwari Youth Association and Hoyasala Kannada Association are celebrating the eighth anniversary of their associations’ Ganesha festival.A member of the association, who did not want to reveal his identity said that in a city like Bangalore, people do not have time to spend on such occasions.“We have restricted to only five days. Five days to one week would be ideal for Ganesha celebrations,” he observed.Badri Prakash, a techie suggested that not just Ganesha festival month long celebrations, there are many organisations which organises Kannada Rajyotsava which is even celebrated in the month of December.“If you want to respect your language, invite writers, organise poet meets and sing Kannada songs.But there are people who play latest Kannada film songs.Such film songs are played during Ganesha festivals too.This is not our culture,” he said.
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