Bangalore, Sep 1 (IANS): Millions across Karnataka Thursday celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with traditional gaiety and fervour, undeterred by cloudy weather and heavy rains in many parts.

People thronged temples since morning to pray. The festival was also celebrated at homes and in residential localities across cities and towns. with idols put up in pandals.

In Bangalore, thousands visited the Dodda Ganesh temple in upscale Basavangudi and offered flowers, fruits and modak, a sweetmeat stuffed in wheat-based dough, to the lord.

Touted to be the biggest idol in the city, the 18-foot-high and 16-foot-wide monolith is built on a boulder hill in Bugle Rock garden.

Ganesh temples in other localities in the city also witnessed a heavy rush of devotees till late afternoon.

With the festival coming a day after Eid-ul-Fitr, police kept enhanced vigil near temples, markets and sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda greeted the people on the occasion.

Though incessant rains and strong winds affected the movement of people and vehicles in coastal districts and parts of the Malnad region, the festive spirit was not dampened.