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Groundnut fair or the Kadalekai Parishe is the hot and happening news in Bangalore now. The almond of the poor, groundnuts or kadalekai in Kannada has an exclusive fair to its name in an old part of Bangalore called Basavanagudi. The place got its name from the Basava or bull statue it houses. The story of installing the bull statue here and the subsequent groundnut fair organised makes for an interesting read.
Making of the Groundnut Fair
In the groundnut season, a bull used to charge in every full moon day and destory the crops at Guttahalli, Mavalli and Dasarahalli (the main areas where goundnut is cultivated in Karnataka). The farmers were alarmed and cracked a good deal with Basava. They pledged to offer the entire sum of their first harvest every year to please the Basava. Following which an idol of Basava was discovered near the cultivation area. This idol kept growing so big that the farmers were taken aback. Hence, they nailed an iron peg on the top of Basava's head. Growth stopped and was permanently installed on a hillock which has come to be known as Basavanagudi in Bangalore, Karnataka.
As promised, the farmers to this day bring their first crop and offer it to the idol. Gradually this event turned into a big fair and came to be known as groundnut fair. A minimum of 500 farmers take part in this famous groundnut fair held every December. People in the Cosmopolitan hub that Bangalore has become don't get to experience the rural side of their own state. This fair provides a space for urban dwellers to get a glance of the colourful rural.
Why visit?
The first reason to visit the fair should be because it brings to life the colours of rural Karnataka. Secondly, the groundnuts seem to taste better than you've ever tasted (well, maybe not; but the groundnuts taste good anyway). Thirdly, it's a unique experience of fairs in a city centre. It's not just groundnuts that you get, but everything that's part of a typical fair in Karnataka is seen here. Many stalls here sell bangles, toys, clay stuff, and other eatables other than groundnut itself.
You don't need a reason to be with family and friends. Visit the groundnut fair now!
Read in Telugu: బుల్ టెంపుల్ బసవన్న- ఏడాదికో రంకె!