Karaga (festival)

The karaga itself is a mud pot, on which stands a tall floral pyramid that is balanced on the carrier's head. The contents of the pot have remained a secret down the centuries. The carrier's arrival is heralded by hundreds of bare-chested, dhoti-clad, turbaned Veerakumaras bearing unsheathed swords. Tradition has it that this frenzied procession of Veerakumaras accompanying the karaga carrier can execute him should he stumble and let the karaga fall. This festival that takes place in the central part of the city is called as Bangalore Karaga.

The Karaga carrier is taken from his home by the members of the Dharmaraya Temple. The carrier is practically in a trance even as he dances along with the Veerakumaras. The Veerakumaras hit the swords on their bare chests, saying "dik-di dik-di".

The rituals have their origin in the Mahabharata, particularly in the vastrakshepa (stripping) of Draupadi, the exile of the Pandavas and the death of Draupadi's sons at the hands of Ashwathama. After all these trials and tribulations, she emerged as a symbol of strong and ideal womanhood.

Hoskote Karaga Mahotsava is an annual festival in Hoskote, which is celebrated in the month of April or May. The festivities start 11 days before Buddha Purnima. It is the Traditional Festival of VahniKula Kshathriya or Thigalas.

Narasapura Karagamahotsava festival in Narasapura is celebrated in the month of March or April or May. Narasapura karaga is very famous festival in Kolar district. The Karaga festival is a traditional community function of Vahnikula Kshatriya who largely resides in Narasapura town and they are performing this festival since from 100 years.

Sri Dharmaraya Swamy temple situated in Narasapura town attracts thousands of devotees on the occasion of Karaga Festival. The festival starts 11 days before a full moon day every year by starting with Dwajarohana and ends with grand Sapthakalasha Karaga festivities. There are two kinds of Karaga, first called as Hasi Karaga and the Hoovina Karaga. The Hasi Karaga happens two days prior to the Hoovina Karaga. Pallakki (palaquins) of all deities in Narasapura town go around the village streets. In honour of the Draupadi and Dharmaraya Swamy, the procession starts usually at midnight and visits all the houses of Narasapura.

The Narasapura Karaga attracts about 30000 to 40000 people from nearby villages and towns. People of Narasapura town invite all of their friends and relatives for this festival. The streets and houses of Narasapura are decorated with colorful lights. Rangoli is drawn in front of houses to welcome the Karaga procession to their houses with a lot of shraddha (dedication) and bhakti (devotion). People offer prayers to the goddess Draupadi on the day of Karaga.

Varthur(varapuri) Karaga festival is celebrated in the month of February (in the week of Rathasapthami). In the name of Draupadi and Dharmaraya Swamy, the procession starts usually at 12:30 am midnight. After coming out of Sri Dharamaraya Swamy temple, the Karaga goes to Mosque/Masjid of Varthur which is unique in India and also it defines the unique bonding between the brothers and sisters of both Hindus and Muslims in this part of the town. After visiting mosque, the karaga starts to visits all the houses of Varthur, especially to the houses of Kshatriyas. There are two types of Karaga, Hasi Karaga, in the evening of Rathasapthami which is devoted to Sri Chennaraya Swamy two days prior to the main Hoovina Karaga (made of Jasmine flowers). Sri chennaraya Swamy Chariot will be pulled by huge devotees, a round throughout the village. Varthur karaga is a very famous festival in East region of Bangalore, which has its history of several decades. The festival would be started two weeks before Rathasapthami day, every year by pulling Sri chennaraya Swamy chariot and ends with grand Karaga festival. The Karaga festival is traditional function of Vahnikula Kshatriya community who largely resides in Varthur and surrounding villages and perform this festival for more than 100 years. Sri Dharmaraya swamy temple situated in varthur town attracts thousands of devotees on the occasion of Karaga Festival. The Karaga attracts more than 50000 people from nearby villages and towns. Varthur comes alive on this three-day festival which attracts attendees from near and far. The town glitters with lights and floral decorations. There is much prasada distribution in the form of rice and other foods. Residents welcome Karaga to their houses with much shraddha and bhakti. People offer prayers to the goddess Draupadi on the day of Karaga.

Karaga festival in Ramagondanahalli is celebrated in the month of March (on Holi Festival). In the name of Draupadi and Dharmaraya Swamy, the procession starts usually at midnight and visits all the houses of Ramagondanahalli, Varthur Kodi. There will be two kinds of Karaga, first called as Hasi Karaga, two days prior to the main Hoovina Karaga. The chariot is pulled by villagers, around throughout the village. Ramagondanahalli Karaga is a very famous festival in East region of Bangalore. The festival would be started 11 days before a full moon day (March in Ramagondanahalli) every year by pulling chariot and ends with grand Karaga festival. The Karaga festival is traditional community function of Vahnikula Kshatriya community who largely resides in Ramagondanahalli and they are performing this festival. Sri Dharmaraya swamy temple situated in Ramagondanahalli town attracts thousands of devotees on the occasion of Karaga Festival. Ramagondanahalli Karaga attracts about 25,000 to 30,000 people from nearby villages and towns. People of Ramagondanahalli invite all of their friends and relatives for this festival and whole streets and houses of Ramagondanahalli would be decorated with serial lights, rangoli would be drawn in front of all the houses of Ramagondanahalli and Kodi Villages to welcome Karaga to their houses with lot of shraddha and bhakti. People offer prayers to the goddess Draupadi on the day of karaga.

RAJAKALLAHALLI KARAGA

Karaga festival in rajakallahalli starts every year exactly on the auspicious day of Sri Rama Navami and HASIKARAGA is held on the next day .The festival is performed by the vahinikula kshathriya community and joined hands by all other communities of the village.The festival has celebrated from more than 30years and celebrated grandly.

The village is decorated grandly with lights and flowers and we can find the united effort of all the villagers in making this celebration a grant success.

The previous carrier of karaga in Rajakallahalli was the famous Sri Poojari NAGARARAPPA who is also a recipient of RAJYOTHSAVA AWARD which is one of the prestigious awards given GOVT OF KARNATAKA.Presently Nagarajappa has stopped participating in karaga due to age related issues.

The Karaga starts with GAJAPATA on day one followed by HASIKARAGA,DEEPAGALU & KALYANOTHSAVA, HUVINA KARAGA ,POTHURAJU GAAVU and finally VASANTHOTHSAVA.