<p>The Karnataka high court on Tuesday ordered the state government not to allow the historic festival of Bengaluru Karaga in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown.</p>.<p>One of the oldest festivals in the city, Bengaluru Karaga was scheduled to be celebrated on the midnight of April 8 in the old areas of central Bengaluru. A few days ago, the government gave permission for the festival but banned large crowds. </p>.<p>Hearing a public interest litigation petition, a division bench of Chief Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice B V Nagarathana directed the home department not to allow such events by any religious group during the current times. </p>.<p>"If there is a congregation of people, it will lead to further spread of COVID-19. The government shall not permit any religious meet, festival or function,” the bench said.</p>.<p>A few days ago, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had given conditional permission for Karaga. But with the high court refusing the permission, the confusion over the festival has come to an end. </p>.<p><strong>Only closed-door rituals</strong></p>.<p>Following the court order, the management committee of the Sri Dharmarayaswami Temple cancelled the festival. It, however, decided to observe the Karaga rituals during a private, closed-door ceremony at the temple.</p>.<p>Rajagopal, a member of the management committee, said: “We have cancelled the Karaga festival as per the high court's directions. We had made arrangements for holding the Karaga without allowing a congregation of people. But now we have given up those plans as well. The temple will also remain closed on Wednesday." </p>.<p>A senior legislator from Bengaluru remarked: "All of us have to abide by the high court order. But there is no precedence of cancelling the Karaga festival. It was held even during the plague outbreak." </p>
<p>The Karnataka high court on Tuesday ordered the state government not to allow the historic festival of Bengaluru Karaga in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown.</p>.<p>One of the oldest festivals in the city, Bengaluru Karaga was scheduled to be celebrated on the midnight of April 8 in the old areas of central Bengaluru. A few days ago, the government gave permission for the festival but banned large crowds. </p>.<p>Hearing a public interest litigation petition, a division bench of Chief Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice B V Nagarathana directed the home department not to allow such events by any religious group during the current times. </p>.<p>"If there is a congregation of people, it will lead to further spread of COVID-19. The government shall not permit any religious meet, festival or function,” the bench said.</p>.<p>A few days ago, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had given conditional permission for Karaga. But with the high court refusing the permission, the confusion over the festival has come to an end. </p>.<p><strong>Only closed-door rituals</strong></p>.<p>Following the court order, the management committee of the Sri Dharmarayaswami Temple cancelled the festival. It, however, decided to observe the Karaga rituals during a private, closed-door ceremony at the temple.</p>.<p>Rajagopal, a member of the management committee, said: “We have cancelled the Karaga festival as per the high court's directions. We had made arrangements for holding the Karaga without allowing a congregation of people. But now we have given up those plans as well. The temple will also remain closed on Wednesday." </p>.<p>A senior legislator from Bengaluru remarked: "All of us have to abide by the high court order. But there is no precedence of cancelling the Karaga festival. It was held even during the plague outbreak." </p>
