What's on in Bangalore
Bangalore, like most of India, embraces the colour and commotion that can only be created by such a rich culture of age old festivals. Though the city finds itself largely immersed in modernity and mechanization, the celebration of the festivals seems to be one of the last remaining and most important links between the past and present.
A Karaga is an earthenware pot, symbolising Shakti. Participants balance the pot on their heads for a night-time procession which ends at Sampagni Tank, where the pots are immersed in water. A priest, dressed as a woman, also takes part.
This is the first big festival of the season and is typically celebrated for ten days in anticipation of the beginning of harvest season. In Bangalore, Dussehra commemorates the victory of the goddess Cahmundeshwari over the demon Mahishasur, and is celebrated through an assortment of religious performances and religious rituals which are intended to activate the fertility of the soil and invoke the Mother Goddess.
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of Bangalore’s most famous festivals. The city lays claim to many temples devoted to the deity and thus the holiday is addressed with much dedication from the Hindu population. Clay statues are erected, worshipped and then taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare; eventually to be immersed in water to symbolize the send-off of the Lord toward his home of Kailash.
The Bangalore Habba is an annual three-week long cultural event that showcases products from various states as well as diverse forms of art, dance, theatre, crafts, music and film. The city becomes a venue in itself, converting public places like parks, temples and malls to facilities where people can watch performances and enjoy interactive sessions. All events are free and aim to reinstate Bangalore as the cultural capital of the country.
Karaga Festival (Mar-Apr)
A Karaga is an earthenware pot, symbolising Shakti. Participants balance the pot on their heads for a night-time procession which ends at Sampagni Tank, where the pots are immersed in water. A priest, dressed as a woman, also takes part.
Dussehra (Dasara) Festival (Oct)
This is the first big festival of the season and is typically celebrated for ten days in anticipation of the beginning of harvest season. In Bangalore, Dussehra commemorates the victory of the goddess Cahmundeshwari over the demon Mahishasur, and is celebrated through an assortment of religious performances and religious rituals which are intended to activate the fertility of the soil and invoke the Mother Goddess.
Ganesh Chathurthi (Sept)
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of Bangalore’s most famous festivals. The city lays claim to many temples devoted to the deity and thus the holiday is addressed with much dedication from the Hindu population. Clay statues are erected, worshipped and then taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare; eventually to be immersed in water to symbolize the send-off of the Lord toward his home of Kailash.
Bangalore Habba (Dec)
The Bangalore Habba is an annual three-week long cultural event that showcases products from various states as well as diverse forms of art, dance, theatre, crafts, music and film. The city becomes a venue in itself, converting public places like parks, temples and malls to facilities where people can watch performances and enjoy interactive sessions. All events are free and aim to reinstate Bangalore as the cultural capital of the country.
