Here are a few festivals of Bangalore that are celebrated with zest and zeal in the city:
1. Groundnut Festival or Kadalekai Parishe
The Kadalekai Parishe is a festival that celebrates the first groundnut crop of the entire year. It has various stalls selling bangles, traditional toys, trinkets made of clay, coloured sodas and Mehendi Tattoos. As the fair gets bigger a large number of people throng the place to buy a variety of groundnuts. Around 1,00,00 lamps are lit in the Bull Temple. The fair is a combination of people's belief tied to the colourful celebrations of the festival.When: It is a 2-day fair celebrated in November every year.
Where: The fair is set up near the Dodda Ganesha Temple in Basavanagudi
2. Ugadi or the Kannada New Year
The traditional occasion of Ugadi involves day-long festivities. The day is believed to be auspicious for starting new ventures. The fervour and enthusiasm with which the festival is celebrated mark its relevance even in today's time. The city drowns in different colours of rangolis and decorations. The festival welcomes a new start of life.When: 9th April
Where: Throughout Bangalore
3. Karaga Festival
It is the oldest and most important festival to be celebrated in Bangalore. The festival is celebrated in the name of Goddess Shakti, and the celebrations last for nine days. Karaga is an earthen pot in which Goddess Shakti is invoked. Beautifully decorated Karaga is carried on the head without any support. This festival is primarily a tradition of Vahnikula Kshatriyas the 'Thigala' community in southern Karnataka.When: April 23rd
Where: The processions start from Dharmarayaswamy temple in midnight and are led by the men.
4. Habba
The garden city has people significantly involved in celebrations. Another festival of Bangalore depicting the lively side of Bangaloreans is Habba. The event requires no tickets and hence is open to all. Artists from around the world come together and add soul to the celebrations with their performances. The significant performances include a fashion show, music and dance performances, and drama. The festival brings forward the artistic side of Incredible India. Many Khadi and crafts exhibitions are also held. Not leaving the sports behind, cricket and golf tournaments add grandeur to the festival. Various eateries offering delicious food are also seen during the festival.When: September 6, 2024
Where: The festival is held at various venues around the city like Bharatiya Vidya Bhava, National grounds, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Seva Sadan, etc.
5. Makara Sankranthi
This festival which is also widely called as Pongal is celebrated in all the states of Karnataka. It marks the onset of spring and the beginning of harvest season. It is also a thanksgiving day in every household symbolising universal kindness and love. According to its astronomical significance, Makar Sankranti refers to the sun entering the Makara zodiac sign. The festival sets off with burning unwanted things and old wood from the household in a bonfire. Homes are whitewashed, and the front porches are beautifully decorated with rangolis.When: 15th January
Where: Throughout Bangalore
6. Ganesh Chaturthi
Also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, this Hindu festival revers Lord Ganesha. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated auspiciously by installing Ganesha idols at home or even in pandals at public places. It includes chanting of Vedic mantras from the Ganapthi Upanishads with fasting and prayers. During the festival, the community offers each other with Prasada, sweets like Modaka which is a favourite of Ganesha. Aten-daye ten-day festival, the idols are carried in a long procession and immersed in a nearby water body like a lake or a river.When: September 7, 2024
Where: Throughout Bangalore
7. Vijayadashami
Popularly known as Dussera/ Navratri, this is another major festival celebrated at the end of Navratri. It is observed differently across the Indian subcontinent. In the southern part of India, Vijayadashami marks the victory of Rama over Ravana. The celebrations include a procession that carries clay idols of Lakshmi, Ganesha, Durga, Saraswati and Karthikeyan that's accompanied by chats and music after which these idols are immersed in water.When: 12 October, 2024
Where: Throughout Bangalore
8. Diwali
The festival of lights is celebrated every year around the world auspiciously and eagerly awaited by people. Since Bangalore is a diverse city, there are people from around the country celebrating Diwali differently. However, Diwali in Bangalore is all about bursting crackers - a highlight of the festival. Diwali is incomplete without an oil bath that's followed by eating sweets as it is a good omen. After sunset, every home is adorned with Diya's, and lanterns and the skies are full of crackers.When: 1st November, 2024
Where: Throughout Bangalore
9. Maha Shivaratri
A Hindu festival that's celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva. It is observed as the remembrance of overcoming ignorance and darkness by the Shaiva-Hindus. Unlike most Hindu festival that is celebrated during the day, Maha Shivrathri is celebrated during the night. The festival is celebrated by maintaining a 'Jaagran,' i.e. an all night-vigil and prayers. Offerings like fruits, sweets are made to Shiva, and at certain Shiva temples, the 'Om Namashivaya' mantra is chanted.When: The Maha Shivaratri is celebrated over 3-10 days; this year, it's on 8th March 2024
Where: Throughout Bangalore
10. Vara Mahalakshmi
Varamahalakshmi is a sacred festival in the Hindu calendar where the ceremony is performed by both men and women. The puja is observed for Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, wealth and auspiciousness. A Vratha is observed on a Friday before the full moon night in Shravanamasa- the month August-September in the Gregorian calendar. It is performed by beginning with a puja to Lord Ganesha; the goddess is invoked by flower decorations, fruits, jewellery, clothes, sweets and so on.When: 16 August, 2024
Where: Throughout Bangalore
So, if there's a procession, crackers, trumpets that suppress the noise of Bangalore traffic; you know it's a festival season!