A NUTTY AFFAIR!

BY MADHUMITA NATARAJAN

Bengaluru has an aura around itself with its lovely weather, warm and friendly people and its progressive approach. Considered to be the most forward and cosmopolitan among Indian cities, it has earned various titles including ‘The silicon valley’ of India. Yet it is still surprising to see that Bengaluru has a rural touch to it.

Kadalekai Parishe

This Parishe stands as a living testimony to an event/myth from the 15^th  century. Basavanagudi in Bengaluru was surrounded by farms that grew groundnuts in large numbers. A bull would run havoc in the groundnut fields, destroying the entire crop on every full-moon day. It was then that the farmers prayed to Basava; the Nandi God and made a solemn binding promise to offer their first crop every year to appease him.

Incidentally, an Idol of Basava was found close by. It is said that the Idol was growing rapidly and therefore the farmers nailed an iron peg (That looks like a Trishula) on its head. The Trishula can be seen even today.

Nandi Idol

The Trishula can be seen above

In 1537, the emperor of Vijayanagara dedicated a temple to the Nandi God, which is now famously known as The Bull Temple. Ever since, the farmers from surrounding villages have been coming here every year… offering their first groundnut harvest to Lord Basava. This ritual is accompanied by an annual fair… known as the Kadalekai Parishe.

Apart from the supreme-quality groundnuts… the fair has loads to offer for the foodies too: puffed rice, bajjis and bondas, sharbat, and lots more!

 

It’s also a paradise for the little ones as there are loads of toys, plenty of mouth-watering food and a myriad of colours to indulge in.

More than just a cultural fair, this fest is a bonding ground for the vendors who come from different parts of the country.

Groundnut vendors say that, ‘We look forward to this fair every year… not that we want to generate maximum revenue out of this, but it’s a once-in-a-year opportunity to meet our friends’.  

Regular visitors to the fair

As young Bengalureans, we tend to turn a blind eye towards such cultural fairs while perpetually complaining about the never-ending issues like potholes, bad roads, poor drainage etc.

While addressing those civic issues is important for a progressive city like ours… it’s also vital that we keep the state’s rich culture and tradition alive.

It wouldn’t be wrong to admit that the city has completely ignored its own roots, in pursuit of its worldly ambitions.

Karnataka’s raw essence, rich culture and diverse tradition can make the world look up and take note… but Bengaluru conveniently chooses to ignore this.