Bengaluru : With the grand Bengaluru Karaga festivities underway, the city police have announced major traffic diversions ahead of the iconic Karaga procession scheduled for the night of April 1.
As part of the celebrations, the traditional camphor ritual will be performed on April 1, followed by the Huvina Karaga procession beginning around 12:30 AM on April 2 . The procession will pass through key parts of central and west Bengaluru, attracting large crowds of devotees.
In view of this, the traffic police have imposed restrictions on several major roads from 9:00 PM on April 1 to 7:00 AM on April 2 . The stretch from Market Circle to Avenue Road Circle and Mysore Bank Circle will remain closed to vehicular movement during this period.
Motorists have been advised to avoid these routes and instead use alternative roads such as SP Road, Town Hall junction, and Kempegowda Road to prevent congestion. Additionally, key roads including Akkipete and OTC Road will also be completely closed as the procession moves through these areas.
The Karaga procession begins from the historic Dharmaraya Swamy Temple and traverses nearly 22 kilometres , covering several densely populated localities. Authorities have urged citizens to plan their travel in advance and cooperate with traffic personnel to ensure smooth movement.
Meanwhile, B. Dayananda (note: replace if needed) and senior officials have reviewed the security arrangements. Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh visited the temple along with senior officers to assess preparedness and coordinate security measures.
Speaking to media, the Commissioner stated that extensive precautions have been taken to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration. "The Karaga procession will pass through central and western parts of the city. CCTV cameras have been installed along the entire route, and adequate police personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents," he said.
Around 2,000 police personnel have been deployed for the event, including traffic police, law and order units, and special teams to manage crowd control. Surveillance has been intensified with real-time monitoring through control rooms.
The Bengaluru Karaga, one of the city's oldest and most revered festivals, is celebrated with great devotion and cultural significance. Thousands of devotees are expected to participate in the procession, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the city.
Authorities have appealed to the public to follow traffic advisories, use public transport where possible, and cooperate with officials to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.