Preparations are underway in Bengaluru for the historic Bengaluru Karaga festival, with authorities planning grand celebrations inspired by the famous lighting style of Mysuru Dasara.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has reportedly decided to spend around ₹35 lakh solely on decorative lighting for the festival. To implement the plan, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has invited tenders to install large-scale lighting arrangements across important locations connected with the Karaga procession.
The tenders have been issued in two separate divisions with different budgets. The first tender, valued at ₹10.14 lakh, covers decorative lighting around the historic Dharmaraya Swamy Temple, nearby roads, and the routes where the Karaga procession traditionally takes place.
The second tender, estimated at ₹28.92 lakh, includes illumination of the GBA central office and selected major roads across the city as part of the festival celebrations.
Interestingly, during the previous edition of the festival, the total expenditure for the entire Karaga celebration was around ₹40 lakh. However, this year nearly ₹35 lakh is being spent on lighting alone, highlighting the authorities’ plan to make the event more visually spectacular.
The historic Bengaluru Karaga festival is scheduled to take place on April 1 this year. The centuries-old cultural and religious event attracts thousands of devotees and spectators every year.
Last year, the festival was organized under the leadership of the Karnataka Department of Religious Endowments along with the temple management committee. However, allegations of financial irregularities in the spending had surfaced following the celebrations.
Due to these controversies, the Karnataka Department of Religious Endowments has reportedly stepped back from organizing the festival this year. The responsibility for conducting the entire event has now been taken over by the Greater Bengaluru Authority.
Authorities say the elaborate lighting arrangements are intended to enhance the grandeur of the festival and attract more visitors, giving the city a festive atmosphere similar to the celebrations seen during Mysuru Dasara.
