The historic Bengaluru Karaga festival began on Tuesday with great dedication, as thousands of devotees gathered to witness the sacred Hasikaraga ritual in Bengaluru on Tuesday morning. The ceremony started at 3 AM at Shakti Peetha near Sampangi Lake, with the chief priest chanting the rituals and performing the usual Gange Puja, as the Keralite Puja was conducted and the ceremonial procession of all Veerakumaras proceeded.
Afterward, a few special Puja rituals were performed on the way to the Adi Shakti temple, the GBH (Karaga administrative) center, which was also visited. Tomorrow, the Flower Karaga will take place with the presence of prominent leaders such as Siddaramaiah and D. K. Shivakumar, along with various politicians and workers.
At some time in the night after 3 PM, a large number of them must be awake at their place in the early morning. Fresh jasmine flowers valued in lakhs of rupees are being supplied for the grand artistry of the Karaga. One must be ready for the camphor Puja, which occurs every year at different places.
The Flower Karaga will proceed from Dharmaraya Swamy temple and pass through key locations in the city such as OTC Road, Avenue Road, Market Road, Police Road, Cottonpet, Mastan Sab Dargah, Balepet, Jumma Masjid, Kilari Road, Mysore Bank Circle, and Tigalarapete.
Security forces in the area of Sampangi Lake and Temple will be at a very high level, and to keep the whole ceremony as peaceful as possible, a large police presence has been arranged. The Karaga festival management, led by Chalakari Narayanaswamy, ensured that all financial transactions and corporate decision-making will remain transparent for this festival. The Bengaluru Karaga Festival is one of the most celebrated cultural and religious festivals in Karnataka.
