Fair and Festivals are the round-the-year
effervescent interludes in the mundane routine of life. In the every
season there is a new festival, each bringing a true celebration for
the people. In addition to this are the birthdays of gods and
goddesses, saints and prophets, great historical happening and the
advent of the New Year, all find expression in colorful festivities.
New attire, dance, music and ritual, all adds joyful rhythm in the
lives of people.
Godachi fair
The Godachi fair is an important fair held in the month of Kartik.
Godachi is a village in Ramdurg Taluk. This fair is held in honour
of Shri Veerabhadra and it is managed by government.
Shri Yellamma Devi fair
Shri Yellamma Devi fair at Saundatti are held about 5 times between
October and February. But the biggest is the one held on the full
moon day of Margasira.
Banashankari Devi fair
Banashankari Devi fair near Badami is held annually in January on
the full moon day and lasts for 10 to 12 days. Rathotsava is an
important item of the fair. Agricultural implements, utensils and
other articles of domestic needs are put up for sale and the
villagers make many of their purchases at this fair.
Dussehra
Dussehra festival is celebrated with great pomp and pageantry in
Mysore . This festival commemorates the victory of the Goddess
Chamundi over the demon Mahishasura. Processions, parades and music
create a riot of color and joviality, as crowds shove to catch a
glimpse of the glittering palace. On the last day of the festival, a
colourful procession of soldiers in traditional dress, cavalry,
infantry, elephants and colourful montage make their way from the
palace gates to Bani Mandap where a torchlight parade and a
magnificent display of horsemanship mark the grand finale.
Hampi Festival (Vijay Utsav)
The magnificent ruined city of Hampi , once the capital of
Vijaynagar Empire, comes alive once again during this lively
festival of dance and music called Hampi or Vijaya Utsav, held in
the first week of November. In the festival the strains of music and
sounds of dance recreate the opulence of the bygone era of the
one-time Vijayanagar Empire. Similar festivals are held in Halebid,
Pattadakal, Karavalli and Lakkundi.
Tula Sankramana
In the October every year, the Kodagu people look forward to this
festival, which usually falls on October 17th every year. It is
believed thaton this day Goddess Cauvery appears in the form of a
sudden upsurge of water in a small tank to give darshan to the
countless devotees gathered there. Thousands of people witness the
event and seek the blessings of Goddess Cauvery, take bath in the
pious water and also carry back with them holy water of Cauvery
filled in the bottles.
Vairamudi Festival
During the annual Vairamudi festival, the somnolent town of Melkote
comes alive when the deity of the hill shrine dedicated to Lord
Vishnu is adorned with the legendary diamond studded crown brought
from the Mysore Palace . This festival is nightlong and is a part of
the 10-day Brahmotsavam.
Kambala ( Buffalo Raceing )
This is a festival in which buffalo racing takes place. The fields
are flush with water and the buffalo's race down a mushy track,
egged on by a strong-muscled farmer who stables perilously on a
trailing wooden plank, surfing his way down the track behind the
beasts. In this annual sporting occasion, the prizes goes to the
swiftest beast. This rural sport in southern coastal Karnataka
originated as a royal pastime and was later continued by the feudal
lords of the Tulu region. The buffalo-racing season lasts from
November to March in Baradi Beedu, Bolantur, Kolatta Majalu,
Bajagoli, Puttur, Kamalakatte and Uppinangadi.
Sri Vithappa fair
This is a fair held in the honour of Vithappa deity of the village.
Sri Vithappa Fair goes on for three days immediately after Shigi
Hunnive. The deity is taken out in a palanquin in a procession
accompanied by about 60 parties of drummers. These drummers come
from different parts of the state. About 7 to 8 thousand people
gather at this time. The devotees offer sheep to the deity and after
that the Pujari sells them, the money collected due to this is kept
for the temple funds. Devotees also bring pure milk and if it gets
converted into curds before offering it to the deity, this is
considered a very good omen. Another characteristic of this fair is
that a person from Chunchanoor village, picks out some grains in his
palm from some bags kept in the temple and the grain which he picks
out is then to be the crop which will have rich yield that year.
Sri Shidlingappa's fair
On the occasion of Shivaratri, Sri Shidlingappa's fair is organized
by the people. On this day the deity is taken in a palanquin
accompanied by drummers (Dollu and Majalu) from several neighbouring
villages and then finally to the river where the deity is worshipped
and the devotees show their devotion to the God.


