Bengaluru all set for Karaga

Preparations are on at the Dharmaraya Swamy temple in Tigalarapet for the culmination of the annual fair associated with the Karaga festivities on Saturday.

Known as Bengaluru Karaga for the event's increasing importance in the city's socio-cultural milieu, the procession will begin in the dead of the night, at 1.30 am, on the scheduled day. As usual, lakhs of people from the state and elsewhere are expected to participate in the event.

A slew of special events have been flagged off on March 23. Beside cleaning and decorating the temple, arms and pooja materials have also been cleaned for the festival. Even Dharmaraya Swamy's car has been decked up.

The fair, which celebrates Draupadi as the symbol of courage and strength, is known for the floral procession on the last day. Special lights have been arranged on the route of the procession.

"The event became part of the tradition, thanks to the encouragement given by the Mysore Wadiyars. They funded the construction of Dharmaraya Swamy temple as well as the annual Karaga. Even today, invitations for the event are sent out in the name of Wadiyars. My grandfather used to tell me that the king used to sit in Chickpet junction and watch the procession," said S Devendra, a senior person.

DH News Service