A stone idol, fashioned from material imported from Vietnam, is slated for a grand procession through Unkal, Hubballi, on Saturday. This event forms part of the ongoing 'Ugadi Jatra Mahotsava', a festival set to culminate on Ugadi, which falls on March 19. The procession will carry the idol from Siddaroodh Mutt to Unkal, featuring a retinue of elephants, horses, camels, and tractors, interspersed with various cultural displays.
The 'Ugadi Jatra Mahotsava', orchestrated by the Sadguru Siddeshwar Swami Hosamath at Unkal, commenced on Thursday. The festival, a blend of religious, cultural, and community-focused activities, extends until Ugadi on March 19.
The 'Ugadi Jatra Mahotsava' also includes the inauguration of a newly constructed stone temple and the installation of the Siddappajja idol. A mass marriage ceremony is scheduled for the concluding day, March 19, at 10:30 a.m., with registrations required before March 15.
Background
The Hindu reported on the upcoming procession on March 12, 2026, detailing the specific day of the event and the inclusion of a stone idol sourced from Vietnam. An earlier report from February 24, 2026, by the same publication, announced the commencement of the 'Ugadi Jatra Mahotsava', outlining the schedule of events, including the procession on March 14, the idol installation on March 16, and the mass marriage on March 19. Hubballi Times provided a contrasting report on September 7, 2025, detailing immersion processions for Ganesha idols, marking the end of that festival.
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