Bengaluru: The BBMP is in a festive mood as it is gearing up to celebrate Kempegowda Day, the birth anniversary of Bengaluru's founder, on Tuesday. Like every year, this year too, the BBMP will present Kempegowda awards to personalities from different fields, including art, music, literature and journalism. This year, the BBMP has selected 158 personalities.
The festivities will start at the BBMP headquarters at 8.30 am with Mayor G. Padmavathi and BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad garlanding the idol of Kempegowda at the head office. It is followed by the mayor and commissioner paying tributes to Bengaluru's founder at the Lalbagh Kempegowda Tower. The convoy will later move to Koramangala, where the mayor will offer floral tribute to the daughter-in-law of Kempegowda, Lakshmidevamma at her grave.
Cultural events, including rangoli competition for women corporators, have been organised.
Bengaluru Karaga
One of the oldest festivals in Bengaluru and a well-known tradition of Tigala community, 'Karaga', will be held on Tuesday night. This year, Karaga will be carried by Jnanendra, who is lifting it for the seventh time.
Story behind Karaga
Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas, during the last part of Mahabharata had to fight Timirasura. She took the form of Shakti and created an army of soldiers with the help of Tigala community. After the demon was killed, the Pandavas ascended to the heavens, while the people of Tigala community requested Draupadi to stay back. Draupadi assured them that she would visit them every year on the first full moon day of the Hindu calendar.
Various ceremonies are held on the Karaga Day. People illuminate and deck up their homes. Panaka made of jaggery and fruits and buttermilk and kosambari are distributed in many parts of the city.
