Bengaluru Karaga – 2019

Bengaluru City Karaga is probably one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the heart of the Bengaluru. It's celebrated in the Bengaluru Kote and Market area by a community called 'Vahnikula Kshatriyas Thigala'. Similar Karaga and Pallakki (Oora Habba) happen in villages and towns in and around Bengaluru. I have seen Karaga in Anekal, Hebbagodi and Muthanalluru etc but this is my first time in Bengaluru.

We left home early (around 12 middle of the night) and reached KG Road - Mysore Bank Circle and parked the car near the metro. Then we realized it might take time for Karaga to reach Mysore Bank as its on the return route. So we walked across the avenue road to reach Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple at Bangalore Fort. There was not much crowd in the beginning but by around 3AM there was enough. At around 4:50AM Karaga arrived and it was there just for a minute.

Next time I want see the Karaga at The Dargah of Tawakkal Mastan. It's an interesting story of secularism in practice. I am not a believer. But if you read my blog often you would know I love cultural events that bring together people of all kinds. Bengaluru Karaga is one such celebration.

Bengaluru Karaga Route (geojson map) - Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple -> Kote Anjaneya Swami Temple -> Dargah Hazrat Tawakkal Shah Mastan -> Shree Annamma Devi Temple -> Rangaswamy Temple -> Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple

Map Source - Bangalore Traffic Police and Udaykumar.

Note: There was a slight change in the route this year due to white topping.