Bengaluru's traditional Karaga festival commences today

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The famous traditional Karaga festival in Bengaluru commences today and runs until April 23, with the Karaga Shaktyotsava set for April 23 on Chaitra Poornima.

A Gyanendra Swamy has been appointed by both the Muzrai Department and Dharmaraya Swamy Temple Management Board for the thirteenth consecutive time to carry the Karaga.

Satish, chairman of Karaga Vasthapana Samiti, said that Draupadi is worshipped as a mud pot dressed in red fabric.

Contents of the pot are kept a secret, as also the source of jasmine, extensively used in the festival. Some say jasmine is chosen for its strong scent, some cite a Sufi connection to it.

"All kinds of facilities have been provided by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Karnataka government for the Karaga Utsav, this time the festival will be held in a non-partisan manner as always by the Karaga Management Committee," he said.

The festival features events like Rathotsava flag hoisting on April 15, daily special poojas and Mangalarati from April 16-19, Hasi Karaga on April 21, and concludes with Gau Puja on April 24 and flag hoisting on April 25, marking the end of the Spring Festival.