Karnataka government allows Karaga festival with a strict rider

TNN | Updated: Apr 5, 2020, 09:31 IST

Locals pull a mini-chariot to celebrate the annual car festival

BENGALURU: The state government on Saturday granted permission for the annual Karaga, Bengaluru's oldest and hugely popular festival, but with a rider.
Chief minister BS Yediyurappa said not more than five people would participate in the event which starts at the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in Nagarathpet, Old Bengaluru.
The government banned all festivals and fairs last week after the lockdown kicked in to ensure social distancing. He relaxed the lockdown norms for the Karaga, reportedly under pressure from local MLAs who believed that doing away with the ritual would incur divine wrath and portend bad times.
The event, associated with the Thigala community, attracts lakhs of devotees every year.
It's scheduled to be held on April 8 this year.