BENGALURU: In the wake of the ghastly fire-cracker inferno at a temple in Kollam, Kerala, the city Karaga Festival Committee has banned bursting of fire-crackers during the Karaga celebrations later this month. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, former mayor and honorary president of the committee P.R. Ramesh said that last year, the committee had spent over Rs 1 lakh on specially-made fire-crackers, but would desist this time.
The main highlight of the Karaga will be on April 22, the first full moon day of the first month of the Hindu calendar, when the procession will start from the Dharmaraya Temple in Nagarathpete and go round old Bengaluru — the pete and city market — areas and end when it returns to the temple. Bursting of crackers has been a tradition during Karaga festivities, especially during Deepotsava in the run-up to the main event, this time on April 19.
“The whole nation has seen what happened in Kollam. Such tragic incidents should not occur. We have to say no to fire-crackers,” Mr. Ramesh said. He said that the ban on fire-crackers will not diminish the festivities as there would be a number of cultural and entertainment programmes for the crowds.
