Pic: The trend of worshipping sindhoor or Chabbi Ganesha idols is gaining traction in Hubballi-Dharwad and other cities of NKHubballi: Ganesha celebrations in Chabbi village hold their own significance among devotees. As they are decorated with vermilion (sindhoor), they are red in colour and are fondly called ‘Chabbi Ganesha’. Devotees believe that this Ganesha idol fulfils their wishes. Thanks to this belief, these Ganesha idols are now seen in many houses in Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Haveri, and other cities in the North Karnataka region.Veeresh Hanagodimath, an artisan from Rajadhani Colony, Hubballi, told TOI that the demand for Chabbi Ganesha idols is increasing every year. “People believe that Chabbi Ganesha is more benevolent and brings good fortune. However, rituals for applying sindhoor and making Chabbi Ganesha are very strict, and many people cannot follow them. We received orders for 15 such idols this year. We did not take further orders as it takes more time and energy to make them. We never use oil paint but use special water-based colour with a matte finish to make the idol eco-friendly,” he added.Many artisans in Bommapur Oni, Hubballi, endorsed that the demand for red idols has been increasing for the past 5-6 years. “Earlier, only a few families used to install Chabbi Ganesha idols as part of their tradition. Nowadays, more people are installing it at their homes,” they commented.Bhaskar Jituri, a Somavamsha Sahasrarjun Kshatriya (SSK) community functionary, observed that some SSK families have been worshipping red Ganesha idols for several generations now. “However, their celebrations are not related to Chabbi,” he said.Acyut Kulkarni, a professional hailing from the Kulkarni family in Chabbi village, stated that only seven Kulkarni families of Chabbi are authorised to install sindhoor Ganesha idols since 1827. “Even we are not doing it since we are cousins of the family that was blessed by Krishnendra Swamiji, who came to Sri Datta Temple in Old Hubballi in 1821. However, Chabbi Ganesha idols have a broken tooth, linga, axe, and trishul in their four hands. However, replica idols domestically kept in Hubballi, Belagavi, and other cities have one hand blessing the devotees. Probably such devotees or their ancestors might have been motivated by Chabbi Ganesha, or they might have their own custom passed on from their elders. However, many devotees who visited Chabbi have started worshipping Sindhoor Ganesha idols for their welfare,” he analysed.About Chabbi Ganesha idolsThe celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in Chabbi village, about 15 km from Hubballi, has been unique for 198 years. According to Pavan Kulkarni, who belongs to the seven Kulkarni families that install Sindhoor Ganesha in Chabbi, Krishnendra Swamiji visited Shanbhog Tammappa’s house and received Paada Puja and some offerings from Tammappa, who was worried about not having children. “In return, he suggested Tammappa start celebrating the Ganesha festival at home. After this, Tammappa was blessed with a baby. Since then, it is the seventh generation that is following the tradition. We install Sindhoor Ganesha idol after 6pm on the fourth day of Bhadrapada month in Hindu calendar. Vaidiks offer abhisheka, parayana, offerings, arathi, chants, and flowers. Music services are offered on the same night. On the third day at midnight, the idol is taken to the well with an immersion procession as per rituals. Thousands of devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra rush to Chabbi village to have darshan of these Sindhoor Ganesha idols. This time, it’s happening between Aug 27 and 29,” he explained.
