Context: The famous Bengaluru Karaga will be held as per schedule on April 8, but it will be a low key event due to coronavirus

About Karaga

• Karaga is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the heart of Bengaluru. This is the festival of Draupadi. 
• Bengaluru Karaga is primarily a well-known tradition of 'Vahnikula Kshatriyas Thigala' community in southern Karnataka. 
• The Karaga festival is generally led by the men of the community. 
• The roots of Karaga go back over five centuries, and to the Thigala community which has kept the festival alive over the centuries.  
• Mystery shrouds the origin of the Thigalas. 
• By one account, the Thigalas sprung form the lions of the sage Angirasa whose progeny were the founders of most of the dynasties of South India. 
• Participants in the Karaga bear the deity on their head without touching by hand and moving around. 
• It is believed that the Draupadi will come down from heaven to earth and stay for three days with the community.  
• In this connection the community will perform Vratha (religious practice) for 11 days in a year from the day of Chaitra Shashti.