Last reviewed 4 Nov 2026 · 2 min read
1. State-level festivals
| Festival | When | What |
|---|---|---|
| Mysuru Dasara | Navaratri (Sept–Oct) | The Nada Habba (state festival); started at Srirangapatna by Raja Wodeyar (1610); the palace is illuminated; ends on Vijayadashami with the Jamboo Savari — Goddess Chamundeshwari carried on an elephant in the golden howdah |
| Kannada Rajyotsava | 1 November | State formation day (1956); Rajyotsava awards announced |
| Ugadi | Chaitra (March–April) | Lunar new year (Chaitra Shuddha Padya); bevu-bella (neem and jaggery) |
| Makara Sankranti | January | Ellu-bella (sesame and jaggery) exchanged; cattle decorated |
2. Regional festivals
| Festival | Region / community | What |
|---|---|---|
| Kambala | Coastal Karnataka (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi) | Buffalo race in slushy paddy fields, in winter |
| Huttari (Puttari) | Kodavas of Kodagu | Harvest festival — first cutting of paddy (Nov–Dec) |
| Kailpodh | Kodavas | Festival of arms |
| Bengaluru Karaga | Thigala community | Night procession of the Karaga from the Dharmaraya Swamy temple |
| Vairamudi Brahmotsava | Melukote (Mandya) | Cheluvanarayana Swamy wears the diamond crown |
| Kadalekai Parishe | Basavanagudi, Bengaluru | Groundnut fair near the Bull Temple in Karthika |
| Hampi Utsav (Vijaya Utsav) | Hampi | Celebrates the music, dance and history of Vijayanagara |
| Karavali Utsav, Kadamba Utsav, Hoysala Mahotsava | Regions | Cultural festivals of the tourism department |
3. Religious fairs and events
- Mahamastakabhisheka — head-anointing of the Bahubali (Gommateshwara) statue at Shravanabelagola, held once in 12 years (last in 2018).
- Udupi Paryaya — the biennial change of the pontiff managing the Sri Krishna Matha, Udupi.
- Yellamma (Saundatti) jatre, Male Mahadeshwara Betta jatre — large rural fairs.
- Basava Jayanti, Kanaka Jayanti, Valmiki Jayanti — observed as state functions.
Revision SummaryQuick recap
- Dasara — Nada Habba, ends with Jamboo Savari.
- Kambala — coastal buffalo race; Huttari — Kodava harvest.
- Karaga — Dharmaraya temple, Bengaluru; Vairamudi — Melukote.
- Mahamastakabhisheka every 12 years.