Reading Utopia : Bengaluru Karaga

Thursday 2 February 2017

Bengaluru Karaga

Bengaluru Karaga ( ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಕರಗ) is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the heart of Bengaluru. Bengaluru Karaga is primarily a well-known tradition of Thigala/Vanhikula Kshytriyas community in southern Karnataka. The Karaga festival is generally led by the men of the community. There is a legend which gives them this privilege. Thigalas believe that in the last part of the Mahabharatha, when the Pandavas were shown a glimpse of hell, one last Asura (Demon) called Tripurasura was still alive.

At this time, Draupadi, the Pandava's wife, took the form of Shakthi devi. She created a huge army of soldiers called the Veerakumaras. After defeating the Asura, the soldiers asked Shakthi Devi to stay back with them. Though she had to go back, she promised them that she would come to stay with them every year during the first full moon of the first month of the Hindu calendar.

The Karaga itself is a tall floral pyramid that is balanced on the carrier's head. Temple priest who carries the Karaga performs austerities since six months.The Karaga leaves the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple around midnight. The goddess is brought for the darshan of the devotees from the temple on the head of the Karaga-bearer.The Thigalas believe that Draupadi Shakti (power) brims over during the Karaga festival and the Karaga carrier dressing as a female is symbolic of Draupadi. It is a high ritualistic significance for Thigalas and they celebrate Draupadi, as they believe she is an ideal woman. Participants in the Karaga bear the deity on their head without touching by hand and moving around.