Participating in a destination’s local festivities is the only way to truly enjoy it. You learn more about the significance of each festival in addition to getting a better understanding of the state’s culture. One state where you may enjoy the greatest of art, history, and festivities is Karnataka. We will discuss some of the famous festivals of Karnataka.
When you arrive in Karnataka, there are displays, performances, delectable treats, and dinners ready for you. Participate in some of the state’s most celebrated events and enjoy time with your loved ones. The list of Karnataka festivals that you absolutely must attend is shown here. Participating in a destination’s local festivities is the only way to truly enjoy it. You learn more about the significance of each festival in addition to getting a better understanding of the state’s culture. Discover the various famous festivals of Karnataka by scrolling down!
Famous Festivals of Karnataka
1. Kambala Festival
The rural communities of Karnataka’s Dakshin Kannada and Udipi districts organize the yearly buffalo race known as the Kambala Festival. The dates of this athletic festival are November through March. This is a two-day festival that is well renowned for its buffalo race. For this magnificent Karnataka event in 2022, more than 150 buffaloes have explicitly been trained. The celebration starts with a display of the participating buffaloes, after which the buffaloes are forced to race on tracks that the farmers have laid out.
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2. Pattadakal Dance Festival
Pattadakal, another dance festival in Karnataka, attracts many people each year. They take place in the town’s temples, which date back to the 7th century and are today regarded by UNESCO as world historic monuments. This festival is one that lovers of dance and art shouldn’t miss!
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3. Hampi Festival
The spectacular Hampi festival, also known as “Vijaya Utsava,” takes place in South India. It is a cultural spectacle held at the well-known tourist destination and South Indian hamlet of Hampi. At the Karnataka festival, famous musicians and artists exhibit amazing talent. The streets are lined with stalls where you can buy handicrafts and small items. There is an atmosphere of a huge celebration created by the abundance of color, lighting, and excitement. Unquestionably, this is one of Karnataka’s most dynamic cultural festivals.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Famous Festivals of Rajasthan 2023
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4. Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is yet another of Karnataka’s major harvest festivals. One of the most well-known festivals in Karnataka and other parts of India is this one. The Sun God is the focus of this celebration, which is currently in full swing. There are colorful decorations everywhere, and some people even create lovely rangolis outside their homes. Schools and universities are also adorned to promote participation in the event. This is one of the major celebrations in Karnataka that you should not miss!
Also Read: 10 Reasons To Attend The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland
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5. Vara Mahalakshmi Pooja
On the day of the full moon, Karnataka ladies celebrate Varalakshmi Vratam, a significant puja. After the pooja is over on this auspicious Karnataka holiday in 2022, the women wear a thread to symbolize protection. Married women do the aarti, and thereafter sweets are distributed. You can go to the temples to make your wishes for money and knowledge known.
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6. Karaga Festival
The Vashnikula Kshatriyas Thigala group enthusiastically celebrates Karaga, one of the oldest celebrations in Bangalore. The event is conducted at the Dharmarayaswamy temple in Bangalore and is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The festival is celebrated for nine days beginning on the full moon day of Chaitra, which falls in March or April. During a large procession in honor of the goddess Shakti, a flower-decorated earthen pot called a Karaga is carried on the head without being touched.
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7. Gowri Festival
Another important celebration in Karnataka is Gowri Habba, observed one day before Ganesh Chaturthi. Everyone dons new attire, and goddess idols are placed on display in homes. If you have the opportunity to attend this event in Bangalore, make sure to visit the temples, which are just as exquisitely decked with mango leaves and banana stems. Delectable feasts are also prepared. Don’t miss this festival if you’re heading to Karnataka in 2022 to participate!
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8. Karnataka Rajyotsava
Karnataka Rajyotsava, another well-liked event on the list of Karnataka festivals, is marked by vigor and excitement and commemorates the state’s founding. All Karnataka schools, colleges, and workplaces are closed on this national holiday so that celebrations can take place. The state flag is flown everywhere, traditional dances are performed, and sweets are given out. Residents of Karnataka of all faiths take great delight in the celebration and enjoy it to the fullest.
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9. Groundnut Festival
Bangalore hosts an annual celebration of groundnuts called Kadalekai Parishe. You can participate in this celebration at the Dodda Ganesha Temple in Basavanagudi, Bangalore. People from neighboring cities bring their first peanut harvest to market this holiday. Farmers present Lord Basava with their first crop of groundnuts at the temple. Visit the Dodda Ganesha Temple to find the greatest quality of the many varieties of groundnuts that are offered. You must schedule your vacation around the final Monday of Karthika Masa if you want to participate in this great celebration.
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10. Mahamastakabhisheka
Mahamastakabhisheka is a very significant Jain festival that is celebrated in the Karnataka town of Shravanabelagola. Every 12 years, it is observed; the most recent one was in 2018. On festival attendees, devotees sprinkle holy water, and gold and silver coins are offered to the statue as offerings. Various liquids, including milk, saffron paste, vermilion, and turmeric powder, are used to bathe the figure. The ancient Jain tradition places a lot of importance on this event.
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11. Sri Vithappa Fair
The annual fair in Vithappa town has been a cherished tradition for over two centuries. Lasting for three days, people worship Lord Vithappa through an elaborate procession featuring a palanquin bearing the deity’s idol accompanied by rhythmic drumming. Residents from nearby towns enthusiastically participate in this vibrant celebration. As part of the ritual, an animal is offered as a sacrifice in the presence of the deity. The sacrifice is a symbol of reverence and devotion. The fair holds a special place in the hearts of the community, embodying their faith and cultural heritage, and bringing people together in joyful unity.
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12. Tula Sankramana
Tula Sankramana marks the start of the Toleyar month for the Kodava community. The River Cauvery is highly revered by the Kannadiga people, and this day holds special significance. Know why? The goddess Cauvery is believed to have emerged from the waters to bless her devotees. A large gathering assembles near the Talacauvery River on this day to witness the rising water levels, and it is considered fortunate to take a holy dip in the river. This event typically falls on October 17th, attracting around 1,00,000 devotees from various parts of Karnataka to join in the celebrations in the Kodagu district.
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13. Ganesh Chaturthi
This well-known festival is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the beloved son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The celebration spans ten days, commencing on the fourth day of the waxing moon (Shukla Chaturthi) and concluding on the fourteenth day (Anant Chaturdashi) in either August or September. A central treat during this festival is the Modak, a dumpling crafted from rice or wheat flour and filled with coconut, jaggery, and dried fruits. Another popular sweet is Karanji. It resembles the Modak in its delightful essence. The festival brings people together to honor Lord Ganesha and indulge in these traditional, delectable sweets.
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14. Ugadi
Ugadi, a widely celebrated festival in Karnataka, Andhra, and Telangana, is observed with immense joy and enthusiasm. The local community considers this period highly auspicious, particularly for embarking on new ventures and fresh starts/ start-ups. The term “Ugadi” combines “Yuga” (meaning period or generation) with “Adi” (meaning beginnings). This name is rooted in the belief that Lord Brahma initiated the creation of the universe on this auspicious day. It’s a time of festivity, symbolizing the genesis of new opportunities and the spirit of a fresh start. All of these things make it a cherished cultural celebration in these regions.
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15. Vairamundi Festival
Annually celebrated in Melukote, Karnataka, the festival is a tribute to Cheluvu Narayana. It is a prominent event for Vishnu devotees and it features a majestic procession where the deity is made to wear the vairamudi (diamond crown) placed by the head priest. This celebration holds great significance in Karnataka, especially for Vaishnavites. It draws a multitude of followers to witness the ritual. The town of Melukote, nestled in the Mandya district, comes alive with devotees who eagerly partake in this sacred occasion. It adds to the spiritual vibrancy surrounding the festival dedicated to Cheluvu Narayana.
16. Pattadakal Dance Festival
One of the famous festivals of Karnataka is celebrated every January where the Karnataka Government hosts the grand Pattadakal dance festival to pay homage to and celebrate the renowned temples in the region. Pattadakal, located 20 km from Badami in Karnataka, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its impressive temples. In the past, it served as the second capital of the Chalukya kings, boasting a collection of well-crafted temples primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva. Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna stand out as the largest and most splendid structures among these temples.
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17. Mysore Dasara
Dasara or Navratri, a 10-day festival widely celebrated in India, takes on an extraordinary flair during the Mysore Dasara festivities. It commemorates the victory of good over evil. It is symbolized by the goddess Chamundeshwari’s defeat of the demon Mahishasura. You must have heard this story. Originating in the 15th Century under the Vijayanagara Empire’s kings, the grandeur and splendor of this celebration have been upheld through generations. Now recognized as the state festival of Karnataka, Mysore Dasara illuminates the Mysore Palace with a dazzling array of a hundred thousand bulbs. It creates a lively carnival atmosphere throughout the city.
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18. Naga Panchami
On this particular day, people worship the snake god and make offerings of milk. Additionally, certain regions in Karnataka observe a unique tradition. Women invite their brothers into their homes and symbolically sprinkle milk on their backs, accompanied by applying kumkum. This heartfelt ritual serves as an expression of gratitude towards the brothers. It is an acknowledgment of their unwavering support and presence throughout their lives. It’s a beautiful way to honor the bond and show appreciation for the role siblings play, making the occasion special and significant in the cultural fabric of the community.
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19. Tulsi Habba
This auspicious day is marked by lighting diyas, adorning the Tulsi plant, and engaging in heartfelt prayers. Popularly referred to as ‘Kiru Deepavali,’ it’s a time when homes are aglow with the warm light of lamps and adorned with festive decorations. Families and individuals come together to celebrate, creating a joyous and spiritual atmosphere. The act of lighting diyas and honoring the Tulsi plant holds deep cultural and symbolic significance, signifying hope, prosperity, and spiritual awakening. It’s a cherished tradition that unites people in a shared sense of spirituality and festivity, enriching the cultural history.
20. Bheemana Amavasya
This day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Parvathi in their form as Bheemeshwara, symbolized as Lord Shiva in the likeness of a wild bear. Married women offer prayers for the well-being, prosperity, and longevity of their husbands. Unmarried girls seek blessings for a suitable and loving life partner. These famous festivals of Karnataka are significant occasions where devotion and prayers are directed toward fostering happiness, harmony, and a promising future in marital life. Worshipping the divine couple in this particular form holds deep cultural and religious importance, embodying the values and aspirations of married and unmarried individuals alike.
These are the top 20 famous festivals of Karnataka. Kindly share and post your comments.