Subdued Rangapanchami in Hubballi

Though security restrictions used to be in force earlier, they never ever dampened the festive spirit

The scare of a second wave of COVID-19 and restrictions imposed by the police as a precautionary measure, including prohibitory orders banning processions, resulted in subdued celebrations of Rangapanchami in Hubballi on Thursday. What otherwise would have been a riot of colours, resulting in the city getting soaked in myriad colours and music reverberating in the air, turned out to be a restricted celebration albeit with gaiety and revelry. Rangapanchami is celebrated on the fifth day after the Holi festival in Hubballi. Every year, though security restrictions and prohibitory orders would be in force in a few localities, they never used to dampen the festival spirit. However, the COVID-19 scare coupled with an appeal by the local authorities to keep the celebrations simple and limited had had an impact this time.