Bhatkal: The Ganesh festival commenced today, Saturday, in Bhatkal, along with celebrations across the country. To mark the occasion, a holiday has been declared in all government offices and educational institutions. In Bhatkal, the festival will last five days, while in other regions such as Maharashtra, it continues for up to eleven days.

Meanwhile, the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, which marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), also falls this September. In Bhatkal, the Milad-un-Nabi procession is scheduled for 16th September, corresponding to 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal. The Markazi Milad Committee is currently planning various programs to celebrate the life and teachings of the Prophet, with final decisions expected after an important meeting on Sunday.

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Given that both the Ganesh festival and Milad-un-Nabi occur this month, a peace meeting was recently held in Karwar, with a focus on maintaining harmony throughout Uttara Kannada district. District SP M. Narayan chaired the meeting, urging community leaders to work together to ensure peaceful celebrations. He emphasized that any potential conflicts should be handled with cooperation and mutual respect.

Inayatullah Shabandri, President of Bhatkal Tanzeem, addressed the meeting, stressing that it is the responsibility of leaders to maintain peace and order during festivals. He called on leaders to manage situations carefully, respecting religious sentiments while ensuring that events proceed without disturbances.

Key district officials, including Additional Deputy Commissioner Prakash Rajput, Additional SP Jagdish, and City Development Officer Stella Varghese, were also present at the meeting, alongside various other dignitaries from across the district.