20 April,2011 07:10 AM IST | | Anuj Hem Kabadi
City's oldest traditional festival, which continues to retain the ways of old, and was celebrated with much enthusiasm and faith
For generations, Bangaloreans have celebrated this festival with the same faith and gusto like it was done several centuries ago.
This year round, as is the tradition, it was celebrated on the first full moon of the first month of the Hindu calendar.
The mesmerising Nadaswaram ufffd the traditional hymn played during the festival every year ufffd was played throughout the ceremony, as scores of devotees performed rituals for their beloved Draupadamma.
Thousands of devotees swarmed the Shri Dharmaraya Swami temple where elaborate rituals were conducted in fervour over the last 10 days. Puffed rice and the traditional 'bathasa' was served by devotees to serve their beloved goddess.
The atmosphere at the temple perfectly manifested the spirit of 'Namma Bengaluru'. The festival culminated with the unfurling of the Karaga flag where the temple priests, along with Veerakumaras ufffd members of the Thilaga community ufffd carried idols of Goddess Draupadi surrounded by the Pandavas.
Ravikrishna, who has been celebrating this festival for as long as he could remember, said, "We come here with all our problems and Draupadamma solves them for us. Our family has been following this tradition for seven generations now."
