The fascinating fairs and festivals of
Karnataka are a celebration of life in all its infinite variety. Most of them
are exclusive to the state and reverberate with colour and gaiety. Every hamlet
and village, every town and city has its own calendar of events to be celebrated.
Dussehra: Treat yourself to the pomp and pageantry of the Dussehra festival
in Mysore. This festival commemorates the victory of the Goddess Chamundi over
the demon Mahishasura. Pageants, parades and music create a kaliedoscope of
colour and gaiety. Crowds jostle to catch a glimpse of the glittering palace.
On the last day, a colourful procession of soldiers in ceremonial dress, cavalry,
infantry, caparisoned elephants and colourful tableaux wend their way from the
palace gates to Bani Mantap, where the torchlight parade and a magnificent display
of horsemanship mark the grand finale.
Dussehra in Madikeri is held with a procession of beautifully lit temple cars
and a prize is given for the best decorated temple car.
Month: October
Hampi Festival (Vijaya Utsav): The ruins of Hampi come alive with the
strains of music and sounds of dance when the State Government holds the Vijaya
Utsav to recreate the grandeur of the erstwhile Vijayanagar Empire and a bygone
era. Similar festivals are held at Halebid, Pattadakal, Karavalli and Lakkundi.
Other district festivals are held in consultation with the District Commissioners
of different Districts.
Month: November
Tula Sankramana: Come October, the people of Kodagu look forward to this
annual festival. It is believed that Goddess Cauvery appears in the form of
a sudden upsurge of water in a small tank to give darshan to the innumerable
devotees gathered here. This event is known as theerthodbhava and is celebrated
with much festivity in Kodagu. Thousands flock to witness the event and seek
the Goddess’s blessings, bathe in her waters and carry back bottles full
of holy water from the source of the river.
Date: October 17th
Vairamudi Festival: The sleepy town of Melkote comes alive during the annual
Vairamudi festival when the deity of the hill shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu
is adorned with the legendary diamond-studded crown brought from the Mysore
Palace. This nightlong event, part of the 10-day Brahmotsavam, is witnessed
by thousands of devotees.
Month: March
Kambala (Buffalo Race): When the fields are flush with water, buffaloes
race down a slushy track, egged on by a strong-muscled farmer who surfs his
way down the track behind the beasts while balancing precariously on a trailing
wooden plank. A riot of colour, frenzied cheers and shining torsos slick with
sweat mark this annual sporting event where the prize goes to the swiftest.
Get swept away by the excitement of the Kambala buffalo race, a rural sport
in southern coastal Karnataka, which originally began as a royal pastime and
was later continued by the feudal lords of the Tulu region.
Buffalo racing season:
From November to March in Baradi Beedu, Bolantur, Kolatta Majalu, Bajagoli,
Puttur, Kamalakatte and Uppinangadi.
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