It's Karaga time, again

Enduring tradition

Marking the end of ten-day rituals, the Karaga procession, which dates back to 150 years, will be taken out on the streets of the City Friday midnight.

The procession will pass through the lanes of Bangalore and visit as many as 86 temples spread across near 45 km.

A Jnanendra, who has been chosen as the Karaga bearer this year, will head door to door for 12 km and circumambulate Sri Dharamaraya Swamy Temple near Hudson Circle.
The Karaga bearer, who symbolises Draupadi and is dressed as a woman, is entrusted with the responsibility of carrying Karaga, an earthen pot decorated with flowers.

The chosen Karaga bearer will be trained in priesthood for more than five years by the Veerakumara family, to which he belongs to.

The selection of the Karaga bearer is made in a democratic manner with the consent of the entire community, said priests at Sri Dharamaraya Swamy Temple.

“Leaders of the Tigala community in and around the City, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and other areas, convene a meeting to choose a Veerakumara family that will carry the Karaga for the year,” said a priest at the temple.

The Veerakumaras are said to belong to Vanikula Kshatriya community from the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. They are said to have lived in Karnataka for a long time now.

Also, it is believed that the Tigalas worked as assassins for numerous kings in south India. They are also said to have served the Maharajas of Mysore.

Path taken

The Karaga will depart from Sri Dharmaraya Swamy temple Friday midnight to Rama Seva Mandir - Cubbonpet, Venugopala Swamy Temple - Nagarthpet, Byreshwara Temple and Makkala Basavanna - Siddanna Lane, Channarayaswamy Temple - Ganigarapet, Chamundeshwari Temple - Chickpet Main Road, Eshwara Temple - Avenue Road, Kote Anjaneya temple - Doddapet, then traverse across K R Market to visit Murahari Swamy Mata - Ranasinghpet, pass through Beera­devaragudi in Akkipet Main Road and later move towards Aralepet, on the way visiting the dargah, paying obeisance at the Hazrat Tawakkal Mastan Dargah in Balepet, Balegaradi - Balepet and Annamma Devi Temple near Subedar Chatram Road.

The procession will begin its return journey by visiting Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple on Kilari Road, Anjaneya temple in Yelahanka Gate, Tuppada Anjaneyagudi on Avenue Road, Chowdeshwari temple and move on to Kumbarpet Main Road, Gollarapet. 

Later, at Tigalarapet, the Karaga will receive pooja at the houses of Veerakumaras and Gummata (Vegetable Market) near Cubbonpet.

By 6 am Tuesday, the Karaga will be received by the chief priest at his house at Sunnakalpet and returned to Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple.

Special grant

Mayor Sharadamma, who sanctioned Rs 78 lakh for the Karaga, on Wednesday, inspected the arrangements for the celebrations.

Interacting with mediapersons, the Mayor said efforts will be made for the grand success of the Karaga, which attracts thousands of people every year.

The Palike is determined to keep the tradition alive. Also, Rs four crore has been released for Kempegowda celebrations that coincides with the Karaga festivities, she said.