Seeking the blessings of Lord Basava
Step back in time and uncover the fascinating history that envelops Kadalekai Parishe. Centuries ago, much before Bengaluru became the bustling metropolis that it is today, the region surrounding Basavanagudi was teeming with fertile villages boasting abundant groundnut harvests. Legend has it that every year, the groundnut crops used to get damaged by a raging bull that would attack the farms ready to harvest. To protect their crop, farmers prayed and offered their first crop to Lord Basava, another name for the divine bull Nandi who is the mount of Lord Shiva.
As per the legend, an idol of the Lord Basava was found in these fields. The idol, it is said, grew rapidly in size, and Kempe Gowda – the founder of the city – built a temple around it. This is known as Basavana Gudi or Big Bull Temple. The festival of Kadalekai Parishe is centred around this temple with the belief that Lord Basava would consume the farmers’ offering of groundnuts and bless them.
A delightful journey through tradition and celebration
As you immerse yourself in the festivities of Kadalekai Parishe, you'll find an array of experiences waiting to unfold. Groundnut enthusiasts will be delighted by the diverse selection of these crunchy delights from regions like Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Kolar, Doddaballapur, Ramanagara, and Telangana. Whether spiced, fried, salted, boiled, sugar-coated, or roasted, there's a groundnut to suit every taste bud.
Yet, Kadalekai Parishe is more than just a groundnut festival; it's a kaleidoscope of cultural traditions. Stalls adorned with bangles, traditional toys, clay trinkets, dolls, and intricate Mehndi tattoos await your exploration. Food connoisseurs can relish delicious local treats like Batthaas (coloured sugar candies) and Bendu (sugar coated gram).
