which concentrates on contemporary dance, Kalarippayattu, yoga, ballet and other dance forms. The institute organises and produces different events related to the contemporary dance. It also plays a key role in bringing out digital arts. 24-04, BTS Bus Depot Road, Wilson Garden, Behind Mandovi Motors. + 91 80 2212 3684 / 4148 3534 / 4146 7690
FESTIVALS
Bengaluru Habba‘ Bengaluru Habba ' is an initiative by the Karnataka State Government to promote sports and culture. The annual cultural and sports event that lasts for 10 days is celebrated during the month of November or December. The event promotes art forms like Hindustani classical music, classical dance, Jazz, street theatre, Rocks music and sports like, tennis, Golf and swimming. Artists from different parts of India participate in different events and work towards cultural unity.
Bangalore Karaga Festival The festival is celebrated in Dharmaraya temple every year during the month of March and April. The festival is celebrated by the Thilaga community to worship Goddess Shakti. It starts from the day of Chaitra poornima. On that day shortly after dusk, the priest of the temple dressed himself as a lady carries a pot on his head and starts a procession accompanied by drum
Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival which is observed throughout India. It is popularly known as Vinayak Chaturthi and marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. Ganesh idols are made, decorated and installed in streets and homes and prayers are offered every day. The festival is celebrated for one, three, five, seven or ten days after which the idols are taken to a procession and immersed in sea or river. The festival falls between the August and September.
beats. The pot that he balances on his head is called the ' karaga '. He walks for 12 miles and return to the temple in the morning.
Kadalakeyi Parishe The festival popularly known as Ground nut festival among Bangaloreans is held in Bull Temple. Kadalekayi means ground nut. The farmers of Bangalore sell ground nuts near Bull temple during this festival. It is celebrated as a welcome ceremony for the ground nut crop during the month of November-December. The farmers seek the blessing of the God during this time to help them lead a prosperous life.
Ulsoor Palaki Ulsoor Palaki, which falls in the month of April, is a Floral Float festival which is held at Ulsoor during the Hindu month of Chaitra. During this festival 108 floats are beautifully decorated using flowers and taken for a procession. The procession starts around 10pm in the night and is carried out till early morning.
Makara Sankranthi or Pongal It is known as the harvest festival. This day is celebrated in South India as Pongal, while Karnataka celebrate it as Makar Sankranthi. Celebrated in the month of January it also marks the beginning of spring season. On this day cows and bullocks are decorated and are fed ' Pongal ' a preparation made of rice. People offer special pujas and prayers in temples and houses. Makar Sankranthi is very significant for Gavi Gangadhareshwara( Siva) temple also. On this day the sun ' s rays pass through the horns of ' Nandi ' bull and lights the whole sanctum. This phenomenon is an architectural wonder and has never failed to
astonish the viewers. Dussehra Dussehra is unarguably the most widely celebrated festival in Karnataka. Dussehra or Navratri is celebrated for ten days in the month of September or October. It is also called ' Nadahabba '. The festival is celebrated with great pomp in Mysore and the involvement of Mysore Royal family makes it all the more special. During the celebration the Mysore Palace is illuminated. The most important attraction of the festival is the procession that carries Goddess Chamundeswari. The procession starts from the Mysore Palace and heads towards the Chamundi hills. Hindus all over Karnataka celebrates this festival with great splendour.
Ugadi Ugadi is celebrated as the Kannnadiga ' s New Year. People believe that Lord Brahma, the creator of life according to Hindu mythology, started the work of creation on this day. Lord Brahma is worshipped on this day and predictions are made for the New Year. People start the preparation of the festival one week in advance by giving their
Diwali Diwali, the festival of lights is celebrated all over India with great splendour. It falls during the month of October-November. On this day people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. The houses are adorned and decorated with lights and oil lamps. People burst fire crackers on this occasion which is one of the major attractions of this festival. p 29 whats around?