BELGAUM: The 11-day Ganesh festivities culminated in a colourful procession with over 280 "Ganapati chariots" queuing up for the grand finale here on Wednesday.

Minister for Horticulture and district in-charge Shashikant Naik offered ceremonial puja to Lord Ganesh at Hutatma Chow to mark the inauguration of the immersion procession late in the afternoon. Prominent among those present at the occasion included, Ramesh Kudachi, MLA; Abhay Kumar Patil, MLA; and senior officials of the district adminsitration. In all, 288 idols of Lord Ganesh will be immersed in six lakes, Kote Kere, Jakkanakeri Honda, Shivaji Garden Lake, Sadashivanagar Lake, Lalmeshwar Lake and Hingalga Lake.

In all, 344 mandals had installed Ganesh idols all over the city, 56 of which were immersed during first three days of the festivities that commenced on September 27.

The police had made elaborate security arrangements along the route of the processions and in areas considered communally sensitive different. The immersions will be completed by Thursday morning.

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