Karnataka High Court Grants Permission For Bengaluru Karaga Festival, Procession

A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice S R Krishna Kumar modified its interim order dated March 3, by which it had directed that processions, protests etc., should not be conducted/held by any group, political or non-political organisations or any other organisations except at a park known as Freedom Park, Bengaluru.

The organisers Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple's managing committee had approached the court seeking permission. Senior Advocate S. Vivek Reddy, appearing for the applicants had submitted that that the order dated 03.03.2022 passed by this Court is coming in the way of the impleading applicant to hold the Karaga festival, which is one of the oldest festivals that symbolize Hindu and Muslim unity, celebrated in the State of Karnataka with a history of over 300 years.

The application stated that Karaga is a folk dance festival which is regarded as Bengaluru's cultural pride. The ritual begins from Dharmarayaswamy temple at Thigalarpet. This temple is the only temple dedicated to Pandavas in the country. The Karaga festival is basically the celebration of nature and water. The Karaga festival is celebrated annually in the Chaitra (March/April) month of Hindu calendar in the South Indian State of Karnataka, mainly by the Tigala community. The festival celebrates and honors Draupadi as the ideal woman and the Goddess of strength (shakti), as she emerged as a symbol of strong and ideal womanhood after all the trials and tribulations she was put through.

Further it said the aforesaid order passed by this Court is coming in the way of night long procession to be held on the full moon night and as such, the order dated 03.03.2022 requires to be modified to that extent for the present year viz., 2022.

The bench on going through the records noted, "Having regard to the aforesaid facts and circumstances and the averments made in the application, we deem it just and appropriate to modify the aforesaid order dated 03.03.2022 and permit celebration of Karaga Mahotsava popularly known as Bengaluru Karaga festival on 16.04.2022 in Bengaluru City, after ensuring that the said procession will not cause hindrance or impediment to the traffic in this regard."

Accordingly it held, "Interim order dated 03.03.2022 is modified to the said extent by making it clear that the remaining terms and conditions and directions issued in the said interim order will continue and remain in force till the next date of hearing."

The direction was given during the hearing of a public interest litigation that had been initiated on the basis of a letter addressed by a Sitting Judge of the High Court.

Case Title: Suo-Motu v. The State Of Karnataka

Case No: WP 5781/2021

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