Bengaluru's Kadalekai Parishe draws massive crowds

BENGALURU: The historic Kadalekai Parishe was inaugurated by Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy in the presence of Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and Basavanagudi MLA Ravi Subramanya on Monday. Basavanagudis streets were packed with large crowds as hundreds of stalls opened, marking a vibrant start to the traditional groundnut fair. One of Bengalurus oldest and most visited cultural festivals, the Parishe began with the ceremonial offering of groundnuts at the Dodda Basavanna (Big Bull) and Dodda Ganapati temples. The event will continue until November 21, featuring groundnut sales, Theppotsava, music, dance and other cultural programmes. Basavanagudi was illuminated with decorative lights, and the temples were adorned with elaborate floral arrangements. The air around Bull Temple Road was filled with the smell of freshly roasted and farm-fresh groundnuts that will be sold throughout the five-day fair. After the inauguration, Ramalinga Reddy said, This years Parishe is plastic-free, and any stall using plastic will be vacated immediately. We expect five lakh visitors, with 700 police personnel, CCTV cameras, toilets and volunteers ensuring safety and cleanliness. Not a single groundnut shell should remain after the event. He added, Kadalekai Parishe is one of Bengalurus key cultural festivals, and we are also planning a temple circuit in the area. Tejasvi Surya said, I urge parents to bring their children to the Parisheshow them our stories, our culture and the essence of our traditions. In a metropolis like Bengaluru, this is one way for children to experience the charm of a village fair. JDS MLC T A Sharavana added, This is not just a groundnut sale; it is a religious observance, a farmers festival and a revival of tradition. Farmers from within and outside the state arrive with their produce, offering groundnuts to the deity as an expression of gratitude. At the Dodda Basavanna (Big Bull) and Dodda Ganapati temples in Basavanagudi on Monday. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and Basavanagudi MLA Ravi Subramanya were present.