Karaga (festival)

Karaga (Kannada ಕರಗ) One of the oldest festivals in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Karaga is primarily the festival of the Tigala community of southern Karnataka and the people of Tamil Nadu. Karaga is a popular festival in Bangalore,Madikeri and Kolar districts of Karnataka.

Karaga festivities of Tamilnadu

Kargam is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu which originated as a ritual dedicated to Mariamman the goddess of health and rain. She is also the protector from the dreaded small pox and cholera. This ritual is performed in the month of August. The idol of Mariamman is carried in procession.

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 'Thavil', "Nadaswaram", "Muni", "Udukkai", "Pambai", etc.

The Karagam dance is very popular in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh (Garagalu) and Karnataka(Karaga). It is an eye catching item with the performer carrying decorated and vertically piled vessels on their heads and donning colourful costumes dancing in a lively manner to the tune of Nagaswaram and the rhythm of Thavil. It is popular in villages during temple festivals.

Karaga festivities of Karnataka

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.

The Karaga Carrier

The Karaga carrier is taken from his home by the members of the Dharmaraya Temple. The carrier's wife takes on the role of a widow. Her "mangala sutra" (necklace symbolizing marriage) and bangles are worn by her husband and she is not to see him or the Karaga until the conclusion of the festival. The Tigalas, who hold Draupadi as their principal deity, believe that Draupadi Shakti (power) brims over during the Karaga festival and the Karaga carrier dressing as a female is symbolic of Draupadi. The Karaga is expertly balanced on the carrier's head. The carrier is practically in a trance even as he dances along with the Veerakumaras.The Veerakumaras hit the swords on their bare chest telling dik-di dik-di.

Significance

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.

Bangalore Karaga

The Karaga route begins at the Dharmarayaswamy temple and snakes through the old city via Cubbonpet, Ganigarapet, Avenue Road, Dodderpet, Akkipet, Balepet, Kilari Road, Nagarathpet and surrounding areas. The karaga carrier, now in his temporary avatar as Draupadi, goes to the houses of the Veerakumaras where their families perform pooja to the karaga. By the time the procession returns to the temple it is dawn.

Karaga in Madikeri

Karaga festival in Madikeri starts as part of Madikeri Dasara or Navarathri. Four Mariyamma temples of the city start one karaga each. These four karagas are called as the shakthi devathas of the town. These karagas visit almost every home of Madikeri and take pooja. Here, Karaga festival is a 10-day festival, which starts a day after Mahalaya Amavasye and concludes on the day of Vijayadashami. The dance of these karagas is great to watch.On the day of Vijayadashami, the karagas start after midnight and head towards Banni Mantap. After breaking the Banni, these karagas return to the temples.

Karaga in Ramagondanahalli

Karaga festival in Ramagondanahalli is celebrated in the month of March. In the name of the Dharmaraya Swamy, the procession starts usually at midnight and visits all the houses of Ramagondanahalli, Varthur Kodi, Siddapura and Thuberahalli.

External links

* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/04/25/stories/2002042500330100.htm/ article in Hindu]
* [http://www.indiaprofile.com/fairs-festivals/karaga.htm/ Karaga]
* [http://www.karaga.org/ Karaga Website]

This ritual is also carried out in Karkala.