Karaga - The Karaga festival is held in April at the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in Bangalore. Just after dusk on the Karaga day, a priest dressed in female outfit leads a spectacular procession accompanied by dazzling swordplay by a number of dhoti-clad, bare-chested Thigalars. On his head, he carries a flower-bedecked pyramid. A unique feature of the Karaga is the unbroken tradition of visiting the tomb of an 18th century Muslim saint every year - a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity.

Vasantha Habba - Each year in February, Nrityagram Dance Village, founded by the late Odissi dancer Protima Gauri Bedi, comes alive during the Vasantha Habba (Spring Festival), a night-long celebration of dance and music featuring the biggest names in Indian performing arts.

Maha Mastakabhisheka - Once in 12 years the well known Jain pilgrim centre, Shravanabelagola gets transformed into a throbbing city, when millions of devotees join in the spectacular ceremonies for the Maha Mastakabhisheka (sacred head anointing ceremony) of the magnificent 18 metre high statue of Bahubali. The Maha Mastakabhisheka is the most thrilling act of worship seen anywhere in the world. The highlights of the celebration comprise the head-anointing and the ritual bathing of the magnificent ornament atop the lofty Vindyagiri hillock that overlooks the landscape all around. A spectacular procession of devotees carrying 1008 ornamental vessels containing sacramental water climbs a huge scaffolding rising behind the statue of Bahubali to perform the ritual bathing amidst scripted prayers. At the second stage, the statue is bathed with hundreds of litres of milk, sugarcane juice, and pastes of saffron and sandalwood. Then follows a torrent of powders of coconut, turmeric, saffron, vermilion and sandalwood on the divine figure. The cascade of colours presents a dazzling and fascinating rainbow-effect over the contemplative countenance of the saint. Precious offerings of gems and gold and silver petals and coins are showered as symbols of reverential homage. In the finale to the grand proceedings choicest flowers are showered on Lord Bahubali.

There are very few yellow-top taxis available in the city, mostly around the airport area, but tourist taxis are easily available from agencies, hotels and taxi stands. Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) maintains a fleet of cars for hire. Another very commonly used mode of transport is the metered auto-rickshaw. The city also runs an efficient city-bus service, but the buses are usually crowded and so we don’t recommend them highly.