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The famous Karaga festival of Karnataka is celebrated every year on the occasion of Chaitra Purnima. This festival is considered to be the biggest festival for the Thigala community of Bengaluru. This community considers Goddess Draupadi as their family deity and Karga is considered a symbol of her divine form. It is believed that during the Mahabharata period, when Goddess Draupadi had killed the demon Timirasura, she had promised the Veerakumars that she would return to earth every year in the month of Chaitra to appear to her devotees. This Karaga festival is celebrated as the fulfillment of that promise.

In this festival which lasts for 11 days, the idol of the goddess is installed in an earthen Karga-pot and then the Karga bearers carry the pot on their heads in procession through the old parts of Bengaluru throughout the night. Thousands of devotees participate in this procession. This is considered to be the victory procession of the Goddess.

Karga Utsav Ki Manyata

Karaga Utsav is a major socio-religious festival celebrated by the Thigala community people in Bengaluru (especially Old Pette area), Karnataka. The festival is primarily based on the narrative overview of Goddess Draupadi (symbolized by the Karga Pot) and her victory over evil.

Why is Karaga special for Thigala community?

• The Thigala community considers itself the descendants of Veerakumars, who helped Draupadi in the Draupadi-Rakshasa war during the Mahabharata period.
• The basic occupation of this community is gardening and tree planting, hence it is connected with nature, water bodies and also the city.
• Through Karga, the Thigala community has been expressing its cultural identity, social unity and religious commitment for centuries.

Mythology to Karga

According to the story, when the Pandavas and Draupadi were on their way to heaven, a demon named Timirasura challenges Draupadi. Draupadi takes the form of her divine power (Aadi Shakti), creates brave warriors and destroys the demon. After the war, the Veerakumars requested her to remain with them. Draupadi promised that she would come to earth every year for three days before the full moon of Chaitra month. Karga Utsav is celebrated as fulfillment of this promise.

What is special about Karga’s every day?

• Initial Day (First Day): It starts with flag hoisting.
• At mid-day/night: From Shashthi to Trayodashi, pilgrimage to different temples, reservoirs and Garadi godowns and purification journey of the Goddess.
• Hasi Karga (Tryodshi Ki Raat): The main ritual in which the Karga-pot is prepared from soil marks the beginning of the faith journey.
• Traditional Virudhakrida-Pongal Service (Chaturdashi Day): These include cooking of sweet rice and worship of the Goddess along with South Indian songs and stories.
• Main procession (full moon night): A procession takes place throughout the night in the streets of the old city carrying Karga-pot on the head.
• Closing day: On this day, celebration with sprinkling of turmeric water and lowering of the flag.