36 Days of Type: 1

1: Bengaluru Karaga

Bengaluru Karaga is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the heart of Bengaluru. It is primarily a well-known tradition of 'Vahnikula Kshatriyas Thigala' community in southern Karnataka. Vahnikula Kshatriyas believe that in the last part of the Mahabharatha when the Pandavas were shown a glimpse of hell, one last Asura (Demon) called Thimirasura was still alive.

At this time, Draupadi, the Pandava's wife, took the form of Shakthi Devi. She created a huge army of soldiers called the Veerakumaras. After defeating the Asura, the soldiers asked Shakthi Devi to stay back with them. Though she had to go back, she promised them that she would come to stay back every year during the first full moon of the first month of the Hindu calendar.

In Karaga, Draupadi is worshipped as an incarnation of Adiparashakti and Parvathi, which is said to have been the result of a boon granted to her by the Lords, for her to have five husbands.

Just Bengaluru Things.