NEWS

The 9-day Karaga festival comes to end in Bengaluru

ABOUT

• Tradition started and sustained by a Tamil speaking community of gardeners called Thigalars
• Held at the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in Bangalore
• A priest dressed in female attire leads a spectacular procession, to the accompaniment of dazzling swordplay by a number of dhoti-clad, bare-chested Thigalars. On his head, he carries a flower-bedecked pyramid
• A unique feature of the Karaga is the unbroken tradition of visiting the tomb of an 18th-century Muslim saint, this custom has become a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity.
• Devotees take out a large procession as part of Karaga celebrations, carrying earthen pots on their heads

HISTORY

• During Mahabharata, Draupadi, wife of five Pandavas created several Veera Kumaras (brave sons) to form a mini army and defeat demon Timirasura
• At the time of her death, these Veera Kumaras begged Draupadi not to leave them. Draupadi instead promised to return each year during the full moon day of Chaitra masa (month)
• Karaga festival is celebrated each year to mark the return of Draupadi in the form of Adishakti