Festival Calendar
Festivals in Karnataka
17 festivals across Karnataka — organized by month
January
Paryaya Festival
Udupi
Grand procession marking the transfer of leadership of the Krishna Mutt between 8 mathas. Elephant processions, music, lakhs of devotees.
February
Mahamastakabhisheka
Shravanabelagola
Grand anointment of the 57-foot Gommateshwara statue with milk, saffron, coconut water, and sandalwood. Millions attend. Visible from kilometers away.
Pattadakal Dance Festival
Pattadakal
Classical dance performances at the UNESCO World Heritage temple complex. Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi against the backdrop of 7th-century Chalukyan temples.
Banashankari Temple Fair
Badami
Chariot procession and temple fair at the ancient Banashankari Amma Temple. Folk performances, rural market, devotional music.
March
Maha Shivratri at Murudeshwar
Murudeshwar
Massive celebration at the 123-foot Shiva statue. Night-long rituals, beach processions, illuminated temple gopuram visible from the sea.
Shivratri at Mahabaleshwar Temple
Gokarna
All-night vigil at the ancient Mahabaleshwar Temple housing the Atmalinga. Beach bonfires, temple rituals, pilgrims from across Karnataka.
Coffee Blossom Festival
Chikmagalur
Celebrating the coffee blossom season when plantations turn white with flowers. Plantation walks, cupping sessions, folk music, local Malnad cuisine stalls.
April
Karaga Festival
Bengaluru
Ancient Dravidian festival where a priest carries a flower-decked pot on his head through old Bangalore streets all night. Sword-bearing Vahnikula Kshatriya warriors escort. Thousands follow.
Vairamudi Festival
Belur
Diamond-studded crown placed on the Chennakesava idol. Grand procession through Belur town with the jeweled deity.
October
Mysore Dasara Exhibition
Mysore
Massive trade fair and amusement ground at the Exhibition Grounds. Giant wheel, food stalls, handicrafts. Running since 1880.
Cauvery Sankriti (Tula Sankramana)
Coorg (Kodagu)
Sacred spring of the Cauvery River at Talacauvery erupts at a predicted moment. Thousands witness the Theerthodbhava. Pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters.
Mysore Dasara
Mysore
Grand 10-day festival with illuminated Mysore Palace, cultural performances, torchlight parade, and the famous Jamboo Savari procession with a golden howdah on a decorated elephant.
November
Laksha Deepotsava
Dharmasthala
Festival of a lakh (100,000) lamps lit around the Dharmasthala temple complex. Cultural programs, mass feeding of pilgrims (Annadaana).
Kadalekai Parishe (Groundnut Fair)
Bengaluru
Massive groundnut fair at Bull Temple Road. Farmers offer the first harvest of groundnuts to Nandi. Heaps of fresh groundnuts sold. Street food carnival.
Hampi Utsav (Vijaya Utsav)
Hampi
Cultural festival recreating the grandeur of the Vijayanagara empire. Puppet shows, classical dance, music concerts, fireworks against the boulder landscape.
December
Siddheshwara Jatre
Bijapur (Vijayapura)
Massive religious fair at the Siddheshwara Temple. One of the largest jatres in North Karnataka. Ferris wheels, folk theatre, Lingayat devotional gatherings.
Kambala (Buffalo Race)
Mangalore
Traditional buffalo race in waterlogged paddy fields. Jockeys sprint behind pairs of buffaloes at incredible speed. Now has a professional circuit with prizes.