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India is renowned for its diversity. It is a glorious country that has a beautiful and delicate mixture of tradition and modernity. One such rich blend is found in the city of Bangalore. Much more than glass buildings, the city is famous for its charming festivals and fairs. When you plan a visit to Bangalore, ensure that you are aware of the upcoming festivals in Bangalore. Read on to know about the famous festivals in Bangalore that you shouldn’t miss on a trip here.

10 Best Festivals In Bangalore

Read on to know about some of the top festivals of Bangalore. Be a part of these joyous occasions if you are in town in 2023.

1. Karaga Festival

Karaga Festival

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An ancient yet famous festival, the Karaga festival in Bangalore is celebrated in honor of Goddess Shakti. An exquisitely decorated earthen pot carried on people’s heads with no support is used to invoke Goddess Shakti during the nine days of its celebrations. Being one of the best festivals in Bangalore, the festival owes its ethnicity to the Thilaga community of the Vahnikula Kshatriyas in the southern part of Karnataka.

Significance: Invoking Goddess Shakti through Karaga
When: Month of March – April
Where: Dharmarayaswamy temple
Duration: 10 days

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2. Groundnut Festival

Groundnut

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Also known as Kadalekai Parishe, the groundnut festival in Bangalore celebrates the harvest of the first production of groundnut crop. Many fairs where vendors sell toys, clay trinkets, colorful bangles, and Mehendi are held for the festivity. Sensational celebrations entwined with the belief of the people are hosted in the Dodda Ganesha Temple. It’s indeed a marvelous sight when ten thousand lamps are lighted at the Bull Temple for the revelry.

Significance: Celebrating the harvest of the first groundnut produce
When: November
Where: Dodda Ganesha Temple
Duration: 2 days

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3. Durga Puja Festival

Durga Puja

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One of the best festivals in Bangalore for Hindus, the Durga Puja, is celebrated in remembrance of the triumph of good over evil, the victory of Goddess Durga over King Mahishsura. According to legends, this festival remarks on the birth of Goddess Durga to put an end to the evil deeds of the immortal demon, King Mahishsura. Through various avatars, she tries to slaughter the demon, which is all recounted as Mahalaya, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami. On the final day, when Goddess Durga reigns victory, the people celebrate it as Vijaya Dashmi and bid her adieu.

Significance: Triumph of Goddess Durga over evil, King Mahishsura
When: September – October
Where: Kalaburagi River
Duration: 4 days

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4. Ugadi Festival

Ugadi Festival

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The beginning of all things, glorious, the Ugadi festival in Bangalore remarks the celebration of the Kannada New Year. The tradition observes day-long revelries and is considered an auspicious moment for the genesis of new avenues to blessings. Drowning in the colorful spells of rangoli, the festival encaptivated its celebrants and prepares them for what lies ahead in the new year.

Significance: Kannada New Year
When: March (or) April
Where: Throughout Bangalore
Duration: 1 day

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5. Habba Festival

Habba Festival

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The garden city’s yet another famous festival in Bangalore, Habba, captures the spirited lifestyle of the Bangaloreans. The fare is conducted to bring out the artistic talent of incredible India. Through dynamic performances such as music and dance, fashion shows and drama, khadi and craft exhibitions, and other sports tournaments such as golf and cricket, the Habba fair is relished and cherished. With absolutely free tickets, people from all over the globe can give themselves a visual treat along with mouth-watering savories.

Significance: Artistic Fair
When: End Of Year
Where: Throughout Bangalore
Duration: 1 day

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6. Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Ganesh

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Commencing days before the actual day of the festival, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety. With flowers and leaves, the entire city of Bangalore is decorated jubilantly. The festivity is brought to perfection through the preparation of luscious sweets such as Payasam, Modakam, and Kosambari. With much reverence, this festival in Bangalore for Hindus invokes wisdom, good fortune, and prosperity from their elephant-headed Lord.

Significance: Birth Of Lord Ganesha
When: August – September
Where: Throughout Bangalore
Duration: 1 day to 11 days

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7. Gowri Habba Festival

ganesha

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Gowri Habba commemorated a day before Ganesh Chaturthi holds special awe for married women. Dressed in novel clothes, women reverently decorate their homes with the idols of the goddess Gowri. They prepare honeyed meals and spread sweets and joy to their neighbors. Temples are decorated with banana stems and mango leaves to promote the festive spirit. Married women actively take part in the celebrations as they believe that the mother of Ganesha, goddess Gowri, would give them courage and power.

Significance: Celebration of the goddess Gowri
When: August – September
Where: Throughout Bangalore
Duration: 1 day

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8. Dussehra Festival

raavana

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Much akin to the Durga Puja festival, the Dussehra fiesta is also solemnized to commemorate the coup of good over evil. Lasting about ten days, the gala season lights up ten thousand light bulbs to remember the victory of Hindu god Rama over the demon king Ravana. Through special symbolisms such as bonfires and fireworks and tika painted on the celebrants’ foreheads, the city holds a great ceremony. People also celebrate the power of good over evil through other artistic programs such as dance and music.

Significance: Triumph of god Rama over the evil demon, King Ravana
When: October
Where: Throughout Bangalore
Duration: 1 day

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9. Pattadakkal Dance Festival

 Pattadakkal Dance Festival

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Of all the festivals and celebrations reigning the city of Bangalore, Pattadakal, a famous dance festival, draws the curiosity and attention of millions of people year-round. Conducted at the temple courts, as early as the seventh century, this dance festival is now recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. No art and dance partisans would want to miss this dazzling performance.

Significance: Dance Festival
When: January
Where: Throughout Bangalore
Duration: 1 day

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10. Diwali Festival

Diwali Festival

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The most auspicious festival, eagerly anticipated by all Indian Hindus, Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of good over evil. Folks express their joy by bursting crackers and indulging in fireworks. As a tradition, houses are lit with oil-burning bowls called dipa lights. Gifts and festive meals are a grand part of joy too on this occasion.

Significance: Festival Of Lights
When: October (or) November
Where: Throughout Bangalore
Duration: 1 day

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These are some of the famous festivals in Bangalore that one should definitely be a part of on a trip to the city! Book a holiday to Bangalore with TravelTriangle and celebrate one or more of these interesting festivals with Bangloreans! Celebrate like the locals do!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals In Bangalore

Which temple is famous in Karnataka?

Kukke Subtahmanya in Subramanya and another temple called Shree Durga Parameshwari in Kateel are the two most famous temples in Karnataka that draw a constant attraction from tourists around the globe.

Is Diwali celebrated in Bangalore?

Yes, Bangaloreans do celebrate Diwali, except that it is celebrated differently since the city has a diverse population from all over India. Nonetheless, in Bangalore, Diwali is attributed to crackers and fireworks, diyas and lanterns.

Which is the harvest festival of Karnataka?

Sankranti is celebrated as the harvest festival of Karnataka. Hindus herald Uttarayan as the sun crosses the northern hemisphere, and make the traditional sweet Pongal for the revelry, from newly harvested rice and jaggery.

Which is the most famous sweet in Bangalore?

Some of the famous sweets of Bangalore are:
1. Kunafa
2. Dharwad Peda
3. Mysore Pak
4. Khova Naan
5. Nolen Gur Rosogullas

What is the famous food in Bangalore?

Some of the famous food items of Bangalore are:
1. Mangalore Buns
2. Dal Obbattu
3. Idli, Vada, And Dosa
4. Bhaji With Filter Coffee
5. Vada Pav

What is Pongal called in Karnataka?

Pongal is called Makar Sankranti in Karnataka, which is the harvest festival for the farmers. On this occasion, newly wedded women are required to give bananas to other married women from their first year of marriage for five years by increasing the bananas in multiples of five. Rangoli drawing and kite flying are other engaging activities during this festival.

Why do we wear a black dress on Makar Sankranti?

Even though black is considered an ill-omened color by the Hindus, it has been a custom to dress up in black on Makar Sankranti for the following reasons: 1. Black dress is worn on Makar Sankranti as a symbolism to fight against evil 2. Makar Sankranti falls on the last day of winter. Since it is very cold on the last winter day, black is worn to absorb the heat from the atmosphere to keep the celebrants warm during the revelry.


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