The Gowri-Ganesha festival was celebrated with widespread religious fervour across Karnataka on Monday, 14 September, with devotees thronging temples and markets to mark Ganesh Chaturthi. In Bengaluru, authorities deployed around 3,000 additional CCTV cameras on top of the existing surveillance network to monitor sensitive and hypersensitive areas throughout the city.

Security Arrangements in Bengaluru

Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) platoons were stationed at key locations across the capital, while drones were pressed into service for aerial surveillance. Police issued specific directions on loudspeaker usage and put in place dedicated security arrangements along procession routes. The situation was being monitored in real time from the city's central police command centre, with round-the-clock vigil maintained to ensure peaceful celebrations.

Rush at Markets and Historic Temples

K.R. Market in Bengaluru saw heavy footfall from the early hours of the morning, with devotees arriving to purchase fruits, flowers, vegetables, and puja materials. Traffic around the market area was disrupted from as early as 5 am due to the large gathering. At the historic Dodda Ganapathi Temple in Basavanagudi, devotees began queuing up as early as 3 am. Temple priests performed special worship at around 2.30 am, followed by a milk abhisheka using approximately 1,000 litres of milk. Maha Mangalarati was conducted at 6 am, and the temple was scheduled to remain open until 12.30 am. Temple management head Srinivas confirmed that prasadam distribution was set to continue from 6 am until midnight.

Celebrations in Mysuru, Hubballi and Davanagere

In Mysuru, the celebrated 101 Ganesh Temple drew large crowds, with special worship commencing at around 3 am. According to the temple's chief priest Sunil, 101 families had collectively installed 101 Ganesha idols across four tiers within the temple premises — 32 on the first step, 26 on the second, 24 on the third, and 18 on the fourth — with a large Ganesha idol placed at the top. Devotees believe that visiting the temple, offering akshate, and submitting prayers provides relief from sins and doshas, with special worship conducted on every Sankashta Chaturthi.

In Hubballi, popularly known as Chota Mumbai, streets were packed as buyers arrived to purchase Ganesha idols, with several people from rural areas travelling in bullock carts to buy and carry idols home. In Davanagere, more than 2,500 Ganesha idols were being installed as part of the festival. Police stepped up security, particularly across 13 identified hypersensitive areas. Notably, residents preferred idols sourced from the Kunnur region, believing the local soil was blessed by revered Sufi saint Santa Shishunala Sharif — a detail that underscores the festival's inclusive character in the region.

Authorities Urge Communal Harmony

Authorities across Karnataka urged citizens to celebrate peacefully, maintain communal harmony, and adhere to safety regulations during processions and idol immersions. This comes amid a broader statewide security apparatus that has been activated for one of Karnataka's most widely observed festivals, reflecting both the scale of public participation and the administrative challenge it presents each year.