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It is the time of the annual Groundnut Fair in Bengaluru and everyone are just as excited as ever! Facebook, Instagram and Twitter is full of groundnut fair check-ins and photos. When the whole city is drowned in the demonitisation furore, the Kadalekai Parishe 2016 has brought a fresh charm to Bengaluru.
PC: Lakshmi Murthy
History of Kadalekai Parishe
Once upon a time, the locality of Basavanagudi was a fertile farmland. Groundnuts were grown in large numbers. The farmers used to get good yeild but there was one problem; a rogue bull which destroyed the crops. So, the people decided to offer the first harvest of groundnuts to Nandi (Shiva's mount) before they took for marketing. Hence, the custom of offering the first harvest of groundnuts to Nandi is followed even to this day.
When Kempe Gowda (the chieftain of Bengaluru) came to this village, he ordered to build a temple in the Vijayanagara style of architecture.
PC: Laksmi Murthy
Legend of Bull Temple
Bull Temple is one of the famous places in Bengaluru (Bangalore). According to a legend, once the villagers were so worried about this rogue bull which used to destroy the crops. They decided to chase it away from their village. One fine day, villagers spot this rogue bull and started chasing it. However, this bull ran and sat on a village pedestal: to everyone's surprise, the bull turned into a stone. Since then the stone statue began to grow and a temple was built around it. This is the big bull statue we see in the Bull Temple today.
Bull Temple
Electrifying Kadalekai Parishe
Kadalekai Parishe is a great time for shopaholics; you can buy a lot of knick-knacks and also enjoy some local snacks. Farmers from the surrounding regions of the city and neighbouring states come to sell the groundnuts. The traffic is blocked to convert the whole Bull Temple road to walk street.
Kadalekai Parishe 2016 began on November 27th . Every year, the Groundnut Fair happens of the last Monday of Karthika Masa (Hindu Calendar) which usually falls in November.
Stalls
Apart from groundnuts, you can buy a lot of other things at this fair. Toys, funkie jewellery, bags and wallets, antique pieces, wooden dolls, terracotta items, bangles, key chains, etc. The road in front of Dodda Ganeshana Gudi and Bull Temple looks vibrant and eccentric.
Visitors can also try Gaint Wheel, Merry Go Round, etc. which is set in the temple premises. You can also visit the Bull Temple, Dodd Ganesha Temple and Bugle Rock Park along with this fair.
Note: Don't take your vehicles (2 wheeler or 4 wheeler) to Bull Temple road as you can't park there. Leave your vehicles in N R Colony, Hanumanthanagar, Near Ramakrishna Ashram and walk to the fair.
Kadalekai Parishe is around 500-years old festival which shows an entirely different shade of Namma Bengaluru. Folks! If you haven't visited then rush today.
PC: Lakshmi Murthy
Venue
Kadalekai Parishe or Groundnut Fair is organised in the Bull Temple Road at Basavanagudi. It is really a visual treat to visit this locality during the fair.
