Karaga
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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 and Kolar districts of Karnataka.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Karaga festivities of Karnataka
The karaga itself is a metal 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.
[edit] The Karaga Carrier
The Karaga carrier is taken from his home by the members of the Dharmaraya Temple. The carriers wife takes on the role of a widow. Her mangal-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 carriers 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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
