BENAGLURU: The oldest and most popular Hoovina Karaga festival was celebrated with devotion on Sunday midnight. The festival is a reflection of the region’s glorious history and traditions.
The famous Karaga festival, dedicated to Draupadi Devi, took place during the Chaitra Pournami moonlight. The Karaga procession began around 12.30 am-1 am, amidst chants of “Govinda… Govinda…”. Lakhs of devotees gathered to witness and seek blessings.
The temple priest, Gnanendra, carried the Karaga for the 15th time, accompanied by Veerakumaras throughout the procession.
ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @siddaramaiah ಅವರು ತಿಗಳರಪೇಟೆಯ ಶ್ರೀ ಧರ್ಮರಾಯಸ್ವಾಮಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ಪೂಜೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ, ಕರಗ ಶಕ್ತ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಮಹಾರಥೋತ್ಸವಕ್ಕೆ ಶುಭ ಕೋರಿದರು. pic.twitter.com/7YiB2CjvT0
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) April 12, 2025
The popular ‘Bengaluru Karaga’ procession started from the Sri Dharmaraya Swami Temple in Thigalarpet. The Karaga then visited the Sri Ganapathi and Mutyalamma temples for worship. It also received worship at the homes of the family priests before proceeding through Narasimha Jois Gali. It was worshipped at the Anjaneyaswami and Rama temples in Halasuru Pete, then proceeded through Nagarathpet, Siddanna Galli, Kabbanhalli, Ganagara Pet, Dodda Pet and reached KR Market.
The Karaga procession also visited the Tavakkal Mastan Sab Dargah on Akkipete Road, then passed through Balepete, Annamma Temple, Kilari Road, Avenue Road, Kumbara Pet, and back to Thigalarpet. The Karaga returned to the temple before sunrise on Sunday morning after being taken out in procession through major roads. Throughout its journey, people eagerly gathered on rooftops and buildings to catch a glimpse of the Karaga.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar visited the temple. The newly wedded couple Tejasvi Surya and his wife Sivasri Skandaprasad also visited the temple and sought blessings.
The Karaga also visited the Hazrat Tavakal Mastan Dargah in Cottonpet, accompanied by Veerakumaras, symbolizing interfaith harmony. Every year, Veerakumaras visit the dargah, exchanging respect and blessings. The dargah offers special worship and blessings to the Karaga, which performs three rounds around the Dargah and then proceeds after the ritual of handing over lemons. This practice embodies the essence of togetherness and harmony among people of different faiths, particularly Hindus and Muslims, who come together to seek blessings and witness the Karaga procession.
ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆಯ ಬೆಳದಿಂಗಳ ಬೆಳಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಆದಿಶಕ್ತಿ ದ್ರೌಪದಿಯಮ್ಮನವರ ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಕರಗ ಶಕ್ತ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಹಾಗೂ ಧರ್ಮರಾಯಸ್ವಾಮಿ ರಥೋತ್ಸವ ಕಣ್ತುಂಬಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಸೌಭಾಗ್ಯ ನನ್ನದಾಯಿತು.
ವಹ್ನಿಕುಲ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯರ ಕುಲದೇವಿಗೆ ಕೈಜೋಡಿಸಿ, ನಾಡಿನ ಸರ್ವರಿಗೂ ಒಳಿತು ಮಾಡೆಂದು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿಕೊಂಡೆನು. ಮಳೆ- ಬೆಳೆ ಉತ್ತಮವಾಗಿ, ನಾಡು ಸುಭಿಕ್ಷವಾಗಿರಲಿ ಎಂದು… pic.twitter.com/obQmCtJCCu
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) April 13, 2025
Apart from this, a clash broke out between devotees and Veerakumaras. There was chaos amid the procession for a while.
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said, “This festival is renowned globally. The Karaga celebration has many unique features, centered around the worship of the goddess of power. I used to attend this festival during my college days. The government has extended its full support to the Karaga festival, releasing funds without delay. In fact, the government has allocated necessary funds, and there are court directives in place as well. Although some issues have arisen within the festival committee. The government has provided every opportunity to make the Karaga festival a grand success.”
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