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Must-see events and festivals in Karnataka: A cultural extravaganza for tourists

We usually plan trip well in advance. There are many reasons why people plan trips in advance. Some of them are:

  • To get in touch with trusted travel specialists who can provide prompt and maximum travel solutions.
  • To have multiple options to choose from and not be forced by any decision.
  • To save money by booking flights, hotels, and activities at lower prices.
  • To save time by avoiding last-minute hassles and stress.
  • To have more time to research the destination, learn about the culture, and prepare for the trip.

We @Travebrate will weave your itinerary based on “What is happening?” in the destination or nearby to make sure that you will not miss any living moment during travel.

Travebrate helps travelers to enjoy events and festivals happening in Karnataka, if any such events occurs during travelers tourist period.

Events in Karnataka

Here are the top events that happens in Karnataka’s famous tourist destinations.

Mysore Dasara in October 2024

Mysore Dasara is the state festival of Karnataka, celebrated for 10 days in September or October. It marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura1.

Some of the highlights of the festival are:

  • The illumination of Mysore Palace with thousands of lights.
  • The procession of elephants, horses, and cultural troupes on the last day i.e. Vijaya Dashami.
  • The torch light parade at Bannimantap on the night of Vijayadashami.
  • The exhibition of handicrafts, food, and entertainment at Doddakere Maidana.
  • Mysore Dasara is a great opportunity to witness the rich culture and heritage of Karnataka. Have you ever been to Mysore Dasara? 🐘 If not Whatsapp us for itinerary.

Mysore Dasara is celebrated between October 3rd to October 12th of 2024. On October 12th, you get to see Jambu Savari.

You can also witness Dasara in Coorg(Kodagu), Mangalore and Uchhila(Udupi).

Kadle Kai Parishe in November 2024

Kadle Kai Parishe is an annual groundnut fair held in Bengaluru, near the Dodda Ganesha Temple in Basavanagudi. It is a tradition that dates back to centuries, where farmers offer their first crop of groundnuts to the temple’s bull statue. The fair attracts thousands of visitors who buy different varieties of groundnuts, as well as other items like bangles, toys, and tattoos. The fair usually takes place in November or December, depending on the lunar calendar.

Kadle Kai Parishe is a unique festival that showcases the rural culture and spirit of Karnataka. Do you like groundnuts? 🥜

Kadle Kai Parishe is celebrated between 16th November to 18th November of 2024 in Basavanagudi, Bengaluru. Let us know if you would like to plan your itinerary during then. Here is detailed post on Kadle Kai Parishe.

Karaga in April 2024

Karaga is a folk festival of Karnataka that is celebrated in honour of the Goddess Shakti. It involves a priest carrying a pot with a floral pyramid on his head and leading a procession of swordsmen. It is held at the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in Bangalore on a full moon day between March and April i.e. Chaithra Poornima.

According to some sources, the Karaga festival has been celebrated for over five centuries by the Tigala community, a Tamil-speaking community of gardeners in Southern Karnataka. The festival is based on a legend from the Mahabharata, where Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, created an army of soldiers from her hair to fight a demon named Timarasura. The Karaga pot represents Draupadi as the Goddess Shakti and the floral pyramid symbolizes her army.

The priest dresses in female attire and carries the Karaga pot on his head without touching it. He is accompanied by hundreds of swordsmen called veerakumaras who protect him from evil forces.

Karaga is celebrated in Bengaluru on April 23, 2024. These days Karaga happens across Bengaluru in many places.

Kambala between November 2024 to April 2025

Kambala is a traditional buffalo race festival that takes place in the coastal districts of Karnataka and Kerala. It is a way of expressing gratitude to the gods and nature for a good harvest. The festival involves pairs of buffaloes running on a muddy track, guided by a farmer or jockey. The festival usually starts in November and lasts until April.

Kambala has four categories of races: hagga (rope), kane halage (wooden plough), adda halage (iron plough) and negilu (bamboo shaft). The buffaloes are classified according to their age, size and experience. The race is timed by a digital clock.

Dates are yet to be disclosed for the current year. Keep a tab on this link for schedule of Kambala in 2023 and 2024. Reach out to us to plan your Kambala itinerary.

Udupi Puttige Paryaya on January 2026

Udupi Paryaya is a religious ritual that takes place every two years in Sri Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi. It marks the transfer of the worship and administration of the temple from one Swamiji (seer or monk or pontiff) of the Ashta Mathas (eight monasteries) to another. The Ashta Mathas were established by Sri Madhvacharya, the founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta philosophy.

The Paryaya festival is held on 18 January of every even-numbered year. The ascending Swamiji performs rituals at a place called Dandathirtha near Kaup, south of Udupi, and then leads a grand procession to the temple. There, he receives the keys and idols from the outgoing Swamiji and ascends the Sarvajna Peetha (throne of wisdom). He then conducts a darbar (court) at Rajangana, where he receives felicitations and gifts from devotees and dignitaries.

The Paryaya festival is a major event in Udupi that attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists. It showcases the rich culture and heritage of the Tuluva region and the Madhwa tradition.

Upcoming Paryaya is on January 18, 2026 and Shiruru Shri Vedavardhana Thirtha Swamiji will be enabled to take up pooja rituals of God Shree Krishna.

Align with us to attach Kambala, Brahmotsava and Paryaya on your trip to Udupi during January 2026.

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