Latest news with #KempegowdaJayanti
Time of India
10 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Kempegowda Jayanti: Cart-pulling oxen rekindle Bengaluru's long-forgotten tradition
1 2 Bengaluru: On the eve of Kempegowda Jayanti, something beautiful unfolded in Bengaluru: Revival of Bandi Devara Utsava — a bullock cart procession that reflects the agrarian traditions and cultural symbols passed on since the times of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru. On Thursday evening, decorated carts pulled by 10 pairs of adorned oxen were part of a procession that was taken out from the BBMP headquarters at NR Square to Kempegowda's statue in front of Vidhana Soudha through Cubbon Park. The spectacle, which was being taken out for the first time in the city, left motorists and onlookers spellbound. The event was organised by Bandi Devara Utsava Samiti to make the youngsters familiarise with the cultural heritage of the state, especially the Vokkaliga community in South Karnataka. The procession featured an Okala Deepa (a huge lamp made out of rice flour), followed by carts that carried sweets which were later distributed near Vidhana Soudha. Men and women, dressed in traditional attire, were part of the procession. Yakshagana, Veeragase, Patakunitha, Karadi Kunitha, Somanakunitha and Dollu Kunitha artistes added colour to the event. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "We realised that even our children were unaware of who Kempegowda was. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo They know Silicon Valley, but not the visionary who laid the foundation of Bengaluru. It's time to show our generation the cultural tradition and history this tech city once had," said Satyashree VJG from Vokkaliga community. This symbolic march was not intended to disrupt traffic or create a spectacle. Instead, it was a moving classroom, weaving through the same paths where Bengalureans now rush in cabs, scroll through phones, and hustle between meetings. It reminded onlookers that behind every Metro pillar and glass building lies a foundation built by hands that once held ploughs. Neelakanta R Gowda, a participant, said: "We don't want to preach history; we want people to see and feel it. That's why we brought the Bandi back to the streets. It is important to teach our kids the significance of Kempegowda." Why bullock cart? Thalakaadu Chikkarange Gowda, who is researching on Kempegowda, said: "The bullock cart has prominence in Indian history, and it is considered a sacred material for farmers. The Vokaliga community also has a close connection with the cart. When it comes to Kempegowda, history says Ranabyregowdaru, with his family and six other brothers, migrated from the then Hoysala dynasty from Kanchi to their motherland Aavthi near Nandi Hills. Ranabyregowda is the forefather of Kempegowda, who formed Bengaluru. Hence, we have brought 10 pairs of bullock carts as a tribute to Kempegowda and his family."
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
3 years on, Kempegowda park in Bengaluru yet to come to life
Bengaluru: Nearly three years since inauguration of the towering statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda near the airport in 2022, the city is still awaiting to see the 23-acre theme park planned around it come to life. While Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Heritage Area Development Authority's (NKHADA) officer in-charge Usha Rani brushed off queries about the delay saying, "We have so many other things to plan and we don't have time for this", preparations are in full swing to lay foundation stone for its new headquarters on the occasion of Kempegowda Jayanti on June 27. The authorities had targeted to build the park, which is part of the Rs 84-crore project, by 2024. But, NKHADA officials said a wrongly issued work order stalled the project for four months. A senior official said they hit a major hurdle—a gas pipeline beneath the land designated for the park connecting Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL). You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "We had to wait for approvals to build a tunnel for the pipeline which took two-three months. Work on the tunnel has started and completion will take another seven months. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The tunnel will be tall enough for a six-foot man to walk through," the official added. MLA and former minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan said: "This project could have been completed long ago. When basic infrastructure like this is ignored, and money is instead spent on commemorative events, one wonders about the priorities. They just don't want to finish what's already there—may be because they feel the credit will go to the previous (BJP) govt." The 108-foot Statue of Prosperity of city founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda was unveiled near Kempegowda International Airport's Terminal 2 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nov 2022. The Rs 62-crore statue was one of the two components of the project, with second being the park for which Rs 22 crore was earmarked. "It's not like they need new funds. The money is already there—they just need to act," Narayan said. A recent meeting between BBMP commissioner Maheshwar Rao and NKHADA yielded no clear roadmap for completion of the park. "The statue was built in seven months," Narayan said, adding: "But everything else is taking its own sweet time."
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Foundation for Kempegowda Development Authority building in Bengaluru to be laid on June 27
Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar announced that foundation for the proposed building of the Kempegowda Development Authority will be laid on June 27, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bengaluru founder Kempegowda. Briefing media persons after a meeting on the preparations for the Kempegowda Jayanti, Mr. Shivakumar recalled that five acres of land had been allotted for construction of the building near Summanahalli in Bengaluru. Stating that the government of Karnataka had decided to honour achievers from various fields with the Kempegowda award on the lines of Rajyothsava awards, he said a committee would be formed to choose the persons to be honoured.
