Real Bangalore Habba ends in Basavanagudi

Real Bangalore Habba ends in Basavanagudi
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The Kadlekai Parshe at Bull Temple drew huge crowds on its second and final day. It attracted more than five lakh people over a span of two days.

The first day of the Parshe saw more women, as it was auspicious. Families and youngsters added to the numbers on Tuesday evening. Although a majority of the stalls sold groundnuts, the highlight of the fair, goodies like ‘‘chaat’’ and ice cream also found willing takers. Other than food, a variety of products on display were junk jewellery, balloons and wooden toys.

Despite ‘‘modernisation’’ of the city, primitive amusement rides like manual merry-go-rounds and ‘‘giant’’ wheels proved a big hit with children. A device claiming to be a ‘‘computer astrologer’’ was also popular.

Although the Parshe was originally held as a trade market for farmers from nearby villages, stalls are now set up by dealers who buy the goods from farmers and belong mostly to the city. With the exception of a few from Tamil Nadu, the groundnut vendors were from in and around the city.

Many who have been frequenting the fair for years feel that far from declining, the numbers have increased over the years. Vandana, a resident of the area, said people came to the fair even on Sunday, before it actually began.

The star of the show, though, was the ‘‘Basava’’ idol in the temple, which was flocked by thousands who stood willingly in a narrow queue for over an hour for a glimpse of the deity. Trustee of the temple, H. Kempanna said, ‘‘This year has seen an enormous increase in the crowd. This is the real Bangalore Habba.’’