Karaga is a folk festival of Karnataka which originated as a ritual dedicated to Draupadi as known in these parts as Droupadmma. The ritual is performed on a full moon day.
The ritual pot filled with water and adorned with decorations several feet high is carried by the priest. The dancers perform various acrobatic feats while following the procession accompanied by a number of musical instruments like 'Thavi', "Nadaswaram", "Muni", "Udukka", "Pamba", etc.[1]
The karaga itself is a mud pot, on which stands a tall floral pyramid that is balanced on the carrier's head. The contents of the pot have remained a secret down the centuries. The carrier's arrival is heralded by hundreds of bare-chested, dhoti-clad, turbaned Veerakumaras bearing unsheathed swords. Tradition has it that this frenzied procession of Veerakumaras accompanying the karaga carrier can execute him should he stumble and let the karaga fall. This festival that takes place in the central part of the city is called as Bengaluru Karaga.
The Karaga carrier is taken from his home by the members of the Dharmaraya Temple. The carrier is practically in a trance even as he dances along with the Veerakumaras. The Veerakumaras hit the swords on their bare chests, saying "dik-di dik-di".
The rituals have their origin in the Mahabharata, particularly in the vastrakshepa (stripping) of Draupadi, the exile of the Pandavas and the death of Draupadi's sons at the hands of Ashwathama. After all these trials and tribulations, she emerged as a symbol of strong and ideal womanhood.
Hoskote Karaga Mahotsava is an annual festival in Hoskote, which is celebrated in the month of April or May. The festivities start 11 days before Buddha Purnima. It is the Traditional Festival of VahniKula Kshathriya or Thigalas.
Narasapura Karagamahotsava festival in Narasapura is celebrated in either March, April or May. Narasapura karaga is very famous festival in Kolar district. The Karaga festival is a traditional function of the Vahnikula Kshatriya community, who largely reside in the town of Narasapura. They have been performing this festival since a hundred years.
The Sri Dharmaraya Swamy temple situated in Narasapura town attracts thousands of devotees on the occasion of Karaga. The festival starts 11 days before the full moon every year, starting with Dwajarohana and ending with grand Sapthakalasha Karaga festivities. There are two kinds of Karaga: Hasi Karaga and the Hoovina Karaga. The Hasi Karaga happens two days prior to the Hoovina Karaga. Pallakki (palaquins) of all deities in the town go around the village streets. In the honour of Draupadi and Dharmaraya Swamy, the procession usually starts at midnight and visits all the houses of Narasapura.
The Narasapura Karaga attracts about 30000 to 40000 people from nearby villages and towns.The streets and houses are decorated with colorful lights, and Rangoli is drawn in front of houses to welcome the Karaga procession.
Varthur Karaga festival is celebrated in the month of February (in the week of Rathasapthami). In the name of Draupadi and Dharmaraya Swamy, the procession usually starts at 12:30 AM. After coming out of Sri Dharamaraya Swamy temple, the Karaga goes to the mosque of Varthur. After visiting the mosque, the Karaga starts to visits all the houses of Varthur, especially those of Kshatriyas. There are two kinds of Karaga: Hasi Karaga, in the evening of Rathasapthami which is devoted to Sri Chennaraya Swamy, and the main Hoovina Karaga (made of Jasmine flowers), which occurs two days later. The Sri Chennaraya Swamy Chariot is pulled by a crowd of devotees for a round through the village. The festival is a traditional function of the Vahnikula Kshatriya community who reside in Varthur and the surrounding villages. They have been performing this festival for more than a hundred years. The Karaga attracts more than 50000 people from nearby villages and towns, with the Sri Dharmaraya Swamy temple at Varthur seeing thousands of devotees.The town glitters with lights and floral decorations, and prasada in the form of rice and other foods is distributed. The festival is famous in East Bengaluru.
Karaga festival in Ramagondanahalli is celebrated in the month of March (on Holi). In the name of Draupadi and Dharmaraya Swamy, the procession starts usually at midnight and visits all the houses of Ramagondanahalli, Varthur Kodi. There are two kinds of Karaga: Hasi Karaga, two days prior to the main Hoovina Karaga. The chariot is pulled by villagers around the village. The festival is started 11 days before a full moon day every year by pulling chariot and ends with the grand Karaga festival. The Karaga festival is a traditional function of the Vahnikula Kshatriya community who largely resides in Ramagondanahalli. Sri Dharmaraya swamy temple situated in Ramagondanahalli town attracts thousands of devotees on the occasion of Karaga. Ramagondanahalli Karaga attracts about 25,000 to 30,000 people from nearby villages and towns. The streets and houses of Ramagondanahalli are decorated with serial lights and rangoli is drawn in front of all the houses of Ramagondanahalli and Kodi Villages to welcome Karaga to their houses. The festival is famous in East Bengaluru.
The Karaga festival in Rajakallahalli starts every year exactly on the auspicious day of Sri Rama Navami and Hasi Karaga is held on the next day. The festival is performed primarily by the Vahinikula Kshatriya community, with all other communities of the village joining in to help.The festival has been celebrated from more than 30 years. As part of festivities, the village is decorated grandly with lights and flowers. The previous carrier of Karaga in Rajakallahalli was the famous Sri Poojari Nagarappa, a recipient of the Rajyotsava Prashasti. However, he has stopped participating due to age related issues.
The Karaga starts with Gajapata on the first day, followed by Hasi Karaga, Deepagalu & Kalyanothsava, Huvina Karaga, Pothuraju Gaavu and finally concludes with Vasantothsava.