Bengaluru temples see huge crowds as Gauri-Ganesh festival begins. Details

Bengaluru saw heavy turnout at temples and homes as devotees observed the Gauri-Ganesh festival. Eco-friendly idols, immersion plans and security measures shaped the city's celebrations.Bengaluru celebrates the Gauri-Ganesh festival with packed temples, home prayers, eco-friendly idols and extensive arrangements for idol immersion across the city. (Photo: ITG)Devotees turned out in large numbers at temples across Bengaluru on Monday as the city celebrated the Gauri-Ganesh festival with religious fervour and enthusiasm. This year, the Gauri-Ganesh festival is being observed on the same day as the Gauri festival, with people installing idols of Gauri and Ganesha in their homes and neighbourhoods.Along with prayers and temple rituals, the celebrations also focused on eco-friendly practices, with several residents opting for clay and natural-material idols.Authorities also made arrangements for Ganesh idol immersion in Bengaluru, while police stepped up crowd management at key locations.DODDA GANAPATHI TEMPLE SEES EARLY-MORNING RUSHAt the historic Dodda Ganapathi Temple in Basavanagudi, devotees began arriving early to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha. Special pujas, abhisheka, floral decorations and other rituals were performed as devotees waited in long queues for darshan. Temple authorities said the special rituals began around 2 am, while prasadam was scheduled to be distributed from 6 am until midnight. Arrangements were also made to regulate the movement of devotees inside the temple.MODAKS, HOME PUJAS AND ECO-FRIENDLY IDOLSHomes and sweet shops across Bengaluru prepared modak, a traditional delicacy associated with Lord Ganesha. Residents also marked the festival with prayers and idol installations in homes and neighbourhoods. Eco-friendly celebrations were another focus, with several people choosing clay Ganesha idols and idols made from other natural materials.Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Minister G Parameshwara also extended festival greetings on X.42 LAKE PREMISES, 659 MOBILE TANKS FOR IMMERSIONThe Greater Bengaluru Authority said 42 lake premises and temporary immersion tanks, along with 659 mobile tanks, had been arranged across Bengaluru's five city corporations for Ganesh idol immersion.The mobile tanks were deployed ward-wise to make immersion easier for residents. Police also put elaborate security arrangements in place at designated locations to manage crowds and ensure smooth celebrations.Bengaluru thus marked the Gauri-Ganesh festival with packed temples, home celebrations, eco-friendly idols and extensive civic arrangements for immersion and crowd management.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 14, 2026 12:28 IST