Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is a vibrant and diverse city that celebrates various festivals with enthusiasm. Some of the popular festivals celebrated in Bengaluru include:
- Ugadi (Yugadi): Ugadi marks the New Year in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It is celebrated with traditional fervor, including the preparation of a special dish called “Ugadi Pachadi” and the decoration of homes.
- Karnataka Rajyotsava: While not a traditional festival, Karnataka Rajyotsava is a state festival celebrated on November 1st to commemorate the formation of the state of Karnataka. It includes a parade, cultural events, and the hoisting of the state flag.
- Lingayat New Year (Basava Jayanthi): This festival commemorates the birth of Basavanna, the 12th-century philosopher and social reformer. It is a significant day for the Lingayat community, with prayers, processions, and discussions on Basavanna’s teachings.
- Kadalekai Parishe (Peanut Fair): This annual fair in Bengaluru is dedicated to the groundnut or peanut. It takes place at the Bull Temple in Basavanagudi and involves the blessing of peanuts by the temple elephant. People also buy and consume freshly harvested groundnuts during this fair.
- Vairamudi Festival in Melkote: This annual festival is celebrated in the town of Melkote in Karnataka. The main deity, Lord Cheluva Narayana Swamy, is adorned with a diamond-studded crown (Vairamudi), and a grand procession takes place.
- Pattadakal Dance Festival: Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts this festival celebrating classical dance and music. The event showcases the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka and attracts performers and spectators from around the country.
- Kadalekai Parishe (Groundnut Fair): Held in Bangalore (Bengaluru) in November, this fair celebrates the groundnut harvest. The Bull Temple in Basavanagudi is a focal point for this festival, where farmers offer the first groundnuts of the season to the sacred bull statue.
- Ganesha Chaturthi: This Hindu festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity. In Bengaluru, elaborate Ganesha idols are installed in homes and public places, and the city witnesses colorful processions during the immersion of the idols.
- Durga Puja: Durga Puja is a major festival for the Bengali community in Bengaluru. Elaborate pandals are set up, and cultural events, traditional dances, and delicious Bengali cuisine are part of the festivities.
- Diwali: Like the rest of India, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with enthusiasm in Bengaluru. People decorate their homes with oil lamps and colorful lights, burst fireworks, and exchange sweets and gifts.
- Navaratri (Dussehra): Navaratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. In Bengaluru, it is marked by traditional dance forms like Garba and Dandiya Raas, along with elaborate decorations and processions.
- Karaga Festival: The Karaga festival is a unique and ancient tradition celebrated in Bengaluru. It involves a ceremonial procession led by a priest carrying a pot on his head, symbolizing the goddess Draupadi. The festival is a mix of religious and cultural significance.
- Makara Sankranti: This harvest festival, also known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, is celebrated with kite flying, traditional feasts, and the preparation of a dish called “Ellu Bella” in Karnataka.
- Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha: The Muslim festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are celebrated in Bengaluru with prayers, feasts, and the exchange of greetings and gifts.
- Christmas: Bengaluru, with its cosmopolitan culture, celebrates Christmas with festive decorations, church services, and community events. Commercial areas and prominent churches are beautifully adorned during the Christmas season.
- Holi: The festival of colors is celebrated with enthusiasm in Bengaluru, with people playing with colored powders, traditional sweets, and festive gatherings.
- Yellu Amavasya: Celebrated in the month of January, Yellu Amavasya is a unique festival where people exchange ‘Yellu’ (a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, and groundnuts) as a symbol of goodwill.
- Lalbagh Flower Show: While not a traditional festival, the biannual flower shows at Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bangalore attract a massive crowd. The Republic Day flower show and the Independence Day flower show showcase stunning floral arrangements and designs.
- Kambala Festival: Kambala is a traditional buffalo race held in the coastal districts of Karnataka. It is a unique and popular rural sport celebrated during the post-harvest season. The festival is a spectacular display of traditional sportsmanship and draws crowds from far and wide.
- Vairamudi Festival: Held in Melkote, this festival is dedicated to Lord Cheluva Narayana Swamy. The highlight of the festival is the procession where the deity is adorned with a diamond-studded crown (Vairamudi), attracting devotees and tourists alike.
These are just a few examples, and Bengaluru, being a melting pot of cultures, witnesses the celebration of various other festivals throughout the year. The city embraces diversity, making it a lively and festive place to be.
