Context:
The centuries-old Karaga (temple fair) festival was recently held at the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in Bengaluru.
Relevance:
GS I- Festivals
Dimensions of the Article:
- Karaga Festival
- Cultural significance of Karaga
Karaga Festival
- It is held every year in the Hindu calendar’s Chaitra month (March/April), and its origins may be traced back to the epic Mahabharata.
- It reveres Draupadi as the ideal lady and Shakti, the Goddess of Power.
- The name ‘Karaga’ refers to an earthen pot that holds a floral pyramid and a Goddess idol, and it is carried on the bearer’s head without being touched.
- The carrier is dressed as a lady, with bangles, a mangal-sutra, and vermillion on his forehead.
Cultural significance of Karaga
- The Karaga procession pays reverence to Tawakkal Mastan at Astana e-Hazrath Tawakkal Mastan Shah Saharwardi Dargah, as is traditional.
- The Muzavvar family has cared for the Dargah, a symbol of syncretic Sufism, for several generations.
- According to them, the Dargah’s history dates back at least 300 years, when Tawakkal Mastan, who came to Bengaluru with his horses looking for economic possibilities, was regarded as a saint.
- Mastak was a patron of the ruler at the time, Hyder Ali, for his excellent actions.
-Source: The Hindu
