GANESH UTSAV AT CHHEBBI
Chhebbi is a small village near Hubli, Karnataka. The Ganesh Utsav (celebration) here has a hoary tradition, having started from way back in 1827. it is not just a local happening but people from all over visit Chhebbi during the festival.
The main attraction of the festival is that Lord Ganesh worshipped here is a powerful one and grants boons to the devotees. It is believed that one’s wishes will definitely be granted by Lord Ganesh and there are many who vouch for this.
How Ganesh Utsav at Chhebbi came about makes an interesting story. Shri Krishnendra Swami was traveling along the highway to Hubli and it was time for morning ablutions. Instead of going to known persons at a bigger village, he chose to go to the smaller village of Chhebbi
The swami was pleased and blessed Tammappa and bade him to worship Lord Ganesh on every Ganesh pooja day i.e.shuddha chaturthi (4th day of the waxing phase of the moon) of Bhadrapada month. This would correspond roughly to the month of August/ September. The swami blessed the couple to beget progeny and wealth and went on his way to Hubli. By the by, a son was born to Tammappa and he also became wealthy and well to do. The Ganesh pooja thus started in 1827 , is continuing till this day. The pooja is currently done by 5th generation descendants of Tammanna. There are 5 families conducting the pooja and these are performed separately.
On chaturthi day, red coloured Ganesh idol is brought in a palanquin with music and pomp and placed in a specially erected mandap(platform). Head of family does Punyahvachan (holy recitation) and Prana Prathishtapana( ritual holy placing) of the idol is performed. He then passes on the authority to selected Brahmins to perform daily ritual pooja to the idol. Every night, music concerts and bhajans are held.
The festival runs for 3 days. Highlight of 3rd day is that Brahmins and family head perform an elaborate pooja and Brahmins bless the family head with the punya of their pooja , this is Chhebbi Ganesh Utsav’s speciality. Also after midnight , the idol is ritually dislodged from the mandap and taken in a procession to the lake and immersed.
The Lord Ganesh of Chhebbi is famous as a powerful one and as a giver of boons. Devotees bring betel nuts, rudrakshas or fruits and offer to the Lord , worship and keep them with them. It is believed that by keeping these, all the wishes will be fulfilled. It is a tradition for devotees to return to Chhebbi after their wishes are fulfilled and worship the Lord again.
There are heavy crowds on Ganesh pooja days and the village wears a festive look.
Chhebbi on Ganesh Utsav is certainly worth visiting.
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