ಧರ್ಮರಾಯ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ
Nagarathpet, Bengaluru, Bengaluru Urban, Karnataka, India
Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in Nagarathpet, in the old 'pete' area of Bengaluru, is the temple from which the Bengaluru Karaga — described by The Hindu as the oldest festival of Bengaluru — sets out each year. It is managed by the Dharmarayaswamy Temple Trust (New Indian Express; Times of India).
Faith & Tradition
The Karaga is a sacred floral pot or pyramid carried by a pujari from the Tigala (Vahni Kula Kshatriya) community, who on the festival night is believed to take the form of the goddess. The community follows a Mahabharata legend in which Draupadi, as Adishakti, created the Tigalas to defeat the demon Tripurasura and promised to return once a year on the first full moon of the Hindu year (Times of India).
The festival lasts 11 days, beginning with the hoisting of the Rathotsava flag; the main Karaga procession starts at night from the temple and continues until the next morning, with rituals such as the Bale Shastra beforehand (New Indian Express; Times of India). Members of the Tigala community eat only one meal a day for nine days before the main event.
Heritage
The choice of the Karaga pujari has long been contested: in 2013 the Karaga changed hands mid-procession amid allegations, and in 2018 a different pujari carried it after the designated bearer fell ill, with a dispute over the appointment pending before a Muzrai tribunal, The Hindu reported. In 2016 the festival went cracker-free after the Kollam temple fire (Times of India).
Plan Your Visit
The Karaga night draws very large crowds in narrow streets; follow police arrangements.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Dharmarayaswamy Temple Trust before travelling. Last reviewed 6 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Eleven-day festival culminating in the night Karaga procession from the temple (New Indian Express; Times of India; The Hindu).
Location
The temple is in Nagarathpet, central Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Location: Nagarathpet, Bengaluru, Bengaluru Urban, Karnataka, India
More in Hindu temples in Karnataka
Questions
In Nagarathpet, central Bengaluru.
The city's oldest festival, in which a pujari carries a sacred floral pot in a night procession from the temple.
A pujari from the Tigala (Vahni Kula Kshatriya) community.
About 11 days, ending with the main Karaga night.
The Tigala community links it to Draupadi, who promised to return once a year.
Further reading: Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple, Bengaluru (Karaga Temple) on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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