Under the moonlit sky, the streets were illuminated with decorative electric lights, while the fragrance of jasmine filled the air. The flower-adorned chariot of Dharmaraya Swamy, accompanied by Veerakumaras wearing peta and holding swords, moved through the city amid ceremonial umbrellas, chamaras, flags and the sound of nadaswara. The chants of "Govinda, Govinda" by thousands of devotees reverberated throughout the route.

The world-famous Adishakti Draupadamma-Dharmaraya Swamy Karaga Shaktyotsava, which has a history of nearly 800 years, was held from Wednesday night till the early hours of Thursday.

Temple priest A. Gnanendra carried the sacred Karaga representing Goddess Draupadamma for the 16th consecutive year.

The Karaga Mahotsava is a centuries-old tradition of the Vahnikula community and is observed for 11 days after Yugadi. As in previous years, lakhs of devotees gathered to witness the celebration.

Religious rituals began at the Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple from early morning.

At 9 am, priest A. Gnanendra, along with Veerakumaras, bell priests and family members, offered prayers at the Karaga Kunte in Cubbon Park. Leaves from the honge tree were brought to the temple, where a ceremonial pavilion was erected.

After a homa was performed, rituals including bale shastra and wedding ceremonies were conducted. Outside the temple, devotees fulfilling vows lit lakhs of camphor flames.

In the evening, the priest and family members visited the Shakti Peetha at Sampangi Rama Kere and returned after offering prayers.

The grand chariot carrying the festival idols of Dharmaraya, Draupadi, Arjuna and the Pandavas, along with a smaller chariot carrying Muthyalamma Devi, was readied for the rathotsava. Amid religious chants, the invocation of Draupadamma into the Karaga was performed.

As the chariots moved out of the temple, the flower-decorated Karaga followed, marking the beginning of the Shaktyotsava. Devotees lined the roads in large numbers to seek darshan.

Procession visits Mastan Saheb Dargah

The midnight procession first visited the Anjaneya and Ramadevara shrines in Halasuru Pete.

It then passed through the Venugopala Swamy Temple in Nagarathpete, Siddannagalli, Ram Seva Mandir in Cubbonpete, Makkala Basavanna Gudi and Channarayaswamy Temple in Ganigarapete before proceeding through KR Market to reach Mastan Saheb's Dargah.

After receiving duparati at the dargah, the procession moved through Balepete and Balegaradi to offer prayers at the temple of Bengaluru's grama devate, Annamma.

The route then covered Kilari Road, Yelahanka Gate, Avenue Road, Kumbarapete and Gollarapete, with stops at the homes of community members in Thigalarapete, where devotees offered prayers.

Later, the procession continued through Halubidi, Cubbonpete and Sunnakalpete before passing through Narasimha Joyis Galli.

Several political leaders and dignitaries also visited and offered prayers during the festival.

Special lighting arrangements were made along the procession route. CCTV cameras were installed at key points for security, while traffic restrictions were imposed with alternative arrangements for commuters.

Drinking water facilities were provided for devotees, and security was heightened as visitors from other states also arrived in large numbers to witness the Karaga Mahotsava.