Karaga festival: Chariot procession tonight, traffic curbs in place

Bengaluru: The annual Karaga festival at Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple will feature the Maha Rathotsava (chariot procession) at 12.30 am on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.

Celebrated primarily by the Vahnikula Kshatriya community, the festival marks the return of Draupadi — lead female protagonist of the Mahabharata — as Adishakti, ahead of the full moon day of Chaitra masa, which falls on Saturday.

Festivities began on April 4 with Hasi Karaga, purana pravachana, and daily rituals.

As part of Shaktyotsava on Saturday, the main procession will depart from the temple, joined by chariots from other temples converging at Avenue Road, City Market Circle, and the main road.

Traffic restrictions will be in effect during this time. Vehicular movement is restricted from City Market Circle to Mysore Bank Circle via Avenue Road. Vehicles will be allowed through SJP Road, Town Hall, and KG Road.

Vehicles heading to Mysuru Road via BVK Iyengar Road will be blocked at the Chickpet roundabout until the procession enters Police Road. They may proceed on AS Char Street once the procession passes.

All traffic on Avenue Road and Mysore Bank Circle will be restricted from 10 pm on Saturday to 6 pm on Sunday.

When the rathas move towards Cottonpet Main Road, vehicle movement from Shanthala Circle to Cottonpet Main Road will be temporarily halted.

Vehicles on Cottonpet Main Road will be diverted at Shanthala Circle, Khoday's Circle, Vatal Nagaraj Road, and Binny Mill Road to reach Mysuru Road.

Preparations on for Karaga at the Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple at Thigalarpet. DH Photo/BK Janardhan

'Going in the right direction'

Chickpet MLA Uday B Garudachar said this year’s festival is proceeding smoothly.

“Usually, some anti-social, unruly elements kick up a racket. This time, I have informed police officers to keep an eye out and take appropriate action. Things are going in the right direction,” he said.

The MLA has invited Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to attend the Karaga procession.

Where to park your vehicle?

Parking of all types of vehicles will be prohibited on SJP Road, Avenue Road, Market Circle, Mysore Bank Circle, Cottonpet Main Road, NR Road, JC Road, KG Road, PK Lane, OTC Road, Nagarathpet Road, SP Road, SP Road side roads, Sunkalpet Road, and several roads around the area. 

People can instead park their vehicles at Bannappa Park, Town Hall, KR Market underground BBMP parking, Market Circle private parking, behind the BMTC bus stand, Chickpet metro station parking, KR Road paid parking, and at the BBMP multi-level car parking area near Freedom Park.