NEWS – Bengaluru Karaga Festival celebrated

HIGHLIGHTS

• Historical Roots
  • The festival dates back 300 years and originates from the Mahabharata.
  • Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, plays a central role, creating Veera Kumaras to defeat Timirasura.
  • Draupadi promised to return each year during the full moon of Chaitra, leading to the Karaga festival
  • Karaga festival marks Draupadi’s return in the form of Adishakti.
  • Devotees gather to celebrate this symbolic return.
• Procession and Rituals
  • The procession begins at Shri Dharma Raya Swamy temple in Nagarathpete, Bengaluru.
  • A priest from the Thilaga community carries a flower-decked pyramid as part of the rituals.
• Symbol of Unity
  • Karaga festival symbolizes unity between communities, including a visit to Astana e-Hazrath Tawakkal Mastan Shah Saharwardi Dargah.