|
The
fascinating fairs and festivals of Karnataka are a celebration of life
in all its infinite variety. Reverberating with color and gaiety, many
of them are exclusive to the state. In fact, nearly every hamlet and
village, every town and city has its own calendar of events to be
celebrated.
Dussehra
This festival commemorates the victory of Godess Chamundi over the demon
Mahishasura. In
Mysore,
the parade of caparisoned elephants and soldiers in ceremonial attire
winding their way from the brightly illuminated Mysore Palace
gates to Bani Mantap, together with the pomp and music, creates a
wondrous kaleidoscope of color and sound. The highlight of the Dussehra
festivities in Madikeri, Coorg is a procession of beautifully-lit
temple cars vying for the coveted prize of best-decorated car.
Month:
October.
Hampi Festival (Vijaya Utsav)
Ever
year, the ruins at Hampi come alive with the strains of classical music
and dance when it hosts the Vijaya Utsav to recreate the grandeur of the
erstwhile Vijayanagar Empire. Similar festivals are held at Halebid,
Pattadakal. Karavalli and Lakkundi.
Month:
November.
Tula Sankramana
It is
believed that during this festival, Goddess Cauvery appears in the form
of a sudden upsurge of water in a small tank in Coorg to give
darshan to her devotees’ gathered there. This event is known as
Theerthodbhava.
Month:
October.
Vairamudi Festival:
The sleepy town of
Melkote
comes alive during the annual Vairamudi festival when the deity at the
hill shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu is adorned with a legendary
diamond-studded crown brought from the Mysore-Palace. This event
is part of the 10-day long Brahmaotsavam festivities.
Month:
March.
Kambala (Buffalo Race)
The
kambala buffalo race in rural southern coastal Karnataka
originated as a royal pastime and was later continued by the feudal
lords of the Tulu Region. The event features water buffalos
racing down a slushy track, egged on by a farmer balancing precariously
on a wooden plank trailing behind the beasts. A riot of color and
frenzied cheering mark this annual sporting event where the prizes go to
the swiftest.
Buffalo racing season:
From November to March in Baradi Beedu, Bolantur, Kolatta Majalu,
Bajagoli, Puttur, Kamalakatte, Uppinangadi and Kolakebylu.
Vasantha Habba (Spring Festival)
Each year, Nrityagram Dance Village, founded by
the late Odissi dancer, Protima Gauri Bedi, comes alive during Vasantha
Habba. This is a nightlong celebration of dance and music featuring some
of India’s most renowned performing artists.
Month:
February.
Karaga
This is a 9-day tradition started and sustained by a Tamil-speaking
community of gardeners called Thigalars. Karaga is held at the
Dhamaraya Swamy Temple in
Bangalore.
Just after dusk on the karaga day, a priest dressed in female attire
leads a spectacular procession to the accompaniment of dazzling
swordplay by dhoti-clad, bare-chested Thigalars. On his head, he carries
a flower-bedecked pyramid. A unique feature of karaga is the unbroken
tradition of visiting the tomb of an 18th century Muslim
saint every year.
Month:
April.
Kadalekayi Parishe
Popularly known as the ‘Groundnut Festival’, the Kadalekayi Parishe
welcomes the first yield of the groundnut crop. Karnataka’s farmers
congregate at the Bull Temple each year to seek blessings for a good
harvest. Heaps of different varieties of groundnuts spring up in the
area surrounding the Bull Temple, the Dodda Ganesha Shrine and the Bugle
Rock Park in Basavanagudi, Bangalore.
Month:
November/ December.
Huthri
This
harvest festival, literally meaning ‘new rice crop’, is celebrated in
Coorg when the paddy is ready to be harvested in the months of November
or December. The ceremonial cutting of the new paddy crop by the head of
the family falls on a full-moon night and is accompanied by chants of “
Poli. Poli Deva” (increase, increase, O God!). A single gunshot is fired
to summon Lord Iguthappa, the presiding deity of the Kodava people.
Month:
November/ December.
Banashankari Fair
The
annual temple festival at the village temple in Banashankari is more
than a religious event. During this time, the streets around the temple
are taken over by a huge fair thronging with vibrant colors, gaiety and
thousands of devotees.
Month:
February- March.
Mahamastakabhisheka, Shravanabelagola
Once
in 12 years the tranquil jain pilgrim centre in Shravanabelagola is
transformed into a throbbing city with millions of devotees converging
to participate in the spectacular ceremonies for the Mahamastakabisheka
(sacred head-anointing ceremony).
It is
one of the most thrilling acts of worship seen anywhere in the world
with devotees bathing the magnificent 18m high statue of Lord Bahubali
atop of the th Vibdhyagiri hillock with hundreds of liters of milk,
sugarcane juice, pastes of saffron and sandalwood, followed by a torrent
of coconut, turmeric, saffron and vermillion powder. Offerings also
include showers of precious gems, coins and gold and silver petals. In a
fitting finale to the grand proceedings, a helicopter flies over the
statue showering the choicest flowers on Lord Bahubali.
This event commemorates the first Mahamasthakabhisheka performed in 981
A.D., by Chavundraya- Prime Minister of the erstwhile
Ganga kingdom.
FOR
FURTHER DETAILS OF HOTELS, SPONSORING AND TOUR PACKAGES CONTACT US AT:
info@mahamasthakabhisheka.com
info@jainheritagecentres.com
travel@mahamasthakabhisheka.com
Information Sources:
WWW.JAINHERITAGECENTRES.COM & DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM,
GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA
|
