May 12 2026 to May 12 2026 6 p.m.

Book/Buy

Where

Atta Galatta

178, 5th Main Road, 1st Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru 560038

Event Description

Look forward to an evening that will transport you into another world—experience the festival through the lens of an expert cameraman, interact with members of the community, and hear firsthand accounts of their lesser-known traditions. Discover what it means to dedicate oneself entirely to the service of the Goddess while living within the rhythms of everyday life.

The evening will also feature a traditional martial arts display by community members—an expression of their enduring Kshatriya heritage.

The book will be formally released by Prof. Rajeev Gowda, a distinguished academician and a former member of parliament

Eleven Days in Summer is a richly detailed and evocative exploration of Bengaluru’s iconic Karaga festival—one of the city’s oldest and most revered traditions. Celebrated by the Thigala community, who worship Adi Shakti Draupadi as their Divine Mother, the festival remains a powerful spiritual and cultural cornerstone of the old city.

At the heart of this narrative stands the ancient Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in the bustling KR Market area—one of the very few temples in the country dedicated to Yudhishthira (Dharmaraya) and the Pandavas. From this sacred epicentre unfolds an extraordinary eleven-day celebration shaped by ritual austerity, mythic symbolism, and unwavering devotion.

Drawing on nearly three years of research, Sunitha weaves together history, oral traditions, and immersive observation to present a vivid portrait of a community that has preserved its identity across centuries—even as the city around it has transformed into a global metropolis.

Age: 10+