Thigala

Thigala is a social group found in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, India, particularly the city of Bengaluru and in Southern Karnataka. Thigala people where mainly involved in Horticulture and Gardening,^[1] Hyder Ali deployed Thigala people for the development of Lalbagh gardening then they played a major role in making Bangalore as Flower City.^[2]

Their main deities are Draupadi and Dharmaraya Swamy. There is a Dharmaraya temple in Thigalarapete which was built in the 11th century AD. Kempegowda, the founder of Bangalore, built four gopuras with this temple as the centre of the city.^[3] The Karaga festival is celebrated in Narasapura, Kolar, Bangalore, Hosakote, Anekal, Malur, Jakkasandra, Immadahalli, Mayasandra, Huskur, Ramagondanahalli, Bethamangala, Varthur, Doopanahalli, Chunchagatta, Vokkaleri, Vijayapura, Lakkur, Thornahalli, Bellandur and in other towns where Thigalas are highly located.^[4]