Bengaluru, 22 April

For over 800 years, Karaga festival in Bengaluru has stood as a testament to unity amid diversity, embodying the harmonious coexistence of Hindu and Muslim communities.

“One of the traditions reflecting religious harmony and has transcended generations is undertaking a pilgrimage to the tomb of the 18th-century Muslim Saint, Hazarath Tawakkal Mastan Shah, in Cottonpete,” said Balakrishna  Kshatriya, Head of Tigalara community, which leads the rituals at the festival, attended by people of all religions. Gnanendra, head priest, shared with Salar News the incident Mastan, who was injured while trying to catch a glimpse of the procession. The temple priest applied turmeric to Mastan's wounds, and thereafter the procession halted at his dargah. Ganachari said, “I continue to honour this tradition by offering namaz at the mosque, then dancing around the dargah,” he said.

Just a day before adorning the traditional yellow saree, jewellery and makeup for the grand occasion (Draupadi Devi Karaga) on 24 April, Gnanendra, also known as Ganachari, is gearing up to carry on the weight of tradition, an ornamental headgear. Having shouldered this responsibility for over two decades, he embodies the essence of Karaga Kartha, the carrier of the sacred emblem.

The Karaga tradition is performed by Vahnikula Kshatriya or Tigalare community. The festivities begin at Dharmaraya Swamy Temple, Tigalare Pete, after dusk and continue into the early hours under the light of the full moon. The main priest transforms into Draupadi, wearing female attire as he leads the procession. Accompanied by the swordplay of Veerkumars, he carries a Kalasha (crown) adorned with jasmine flowers on his head. Veerkumars are believed to be the sons of Draupadi  and they are tasked to perform rituals before Gnanendra goes to a place.

From priest to goddess

The midnight festival of Karaga begins a week earlier with Karga procession, featuring a hundred young men known as Veerakumaras or 'hero-youths'. Leading up to the festival, these youths adhere to all the rules set by the Ganachari.

On the seventh night of the festival, “when Ganachari takes a holy bath at the Sampangi Lake we will join him with the rhythmic beats of drums,” Sagar Kshatriya, 25-year-old IT employee who is a Veerakumar, told Salar News.

Draped in a saree and adorned with black bangles, jewellery, and a weighty jasmine headdress, the priest becomes Draupadi herself. The seventh day, known as 'Hasi Karaga', signifies the culmination of the goddess's energy. During the procession, accompanied by Veerakumaras, the Ganachari holds the jasmine crown on his waist and dances his way to Dharmaraya temple.

Ganachari and Karga Kartha

Ganachari must belong to Tigalara community. The Tigalaras are martial men and are famous for their fine physique. This community was sought after in the armies of Vijayanagar empires.

Former Ganachari Shreekanta Kshatriya said rigorous preparations are undertaken before the festival to instil discipline and strength for the Ganachari who carries the Karaga. “Six months prior, we adhere to a strict diet, abstaining from meat and onions while consuming only vegetarian food,” Ganendra said.

As the nine-day festival commences, Ganachari embarks on his journey, leaving his home to take shelter on the roof of Dharmaraya temple. Simultaneously, a ritual unfolds at his home: “The Ganachari’s wife symbolically assumes the role of a widow. She breaks her bangles, removes her mangalsutra and kumkum, and dons the attire of a widow, signifying her separation from her husband for the duration of the festival,”  the temple priest said.

Security beefed up 

 Civic bodies, particularly BBMP, have spruced up Chickpet and law enforcement agencies have upped the security in the area for the festival. The festival is a symbol of Shakti Upasana and fosters unity among Hindus, Muslims, Jains, and the weaver community, particularly the Tigilara, descendants of Draupadi.

BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath said the officials have filled up potholes, repaired street lights and cleaned the roads and adjoining drains. Stringent security measures, including the deployment of 3,000 police personnel and the installation of 25,000 CCTVs, have been put in place in the vicinity of Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple.

The procession will start around 2am and continue till 10am the following day. The procession will start from Cubbonpete and cover significant landmarks such as Raja Market Circle, KR Market, Anjaneya Temple and Ganesha Temple, before visiting the Mastan Saheb Dargah and returning to Dharmaraya temple via Annamma Temple. -Salar News—Salar News