Hampi Utsav

With a culturally rich history, Hampi in the Indian state of Karnataka witnesses numerous festivities throughout the year. The Hampi festival or the Hampi Utsav is the largest of all the festivals celebrated in Hampi.
Although the exact time of origin of the Hampi Utsav is not known, the festival has been celebrated since the Vijayanagar Empire. It is noted that the beginning of Hampi Utsav has its roots in the Vijayanagar Empire itself since the festivities incorporate elements in remembrance of the grandeur of Vijayanagar reign.

An elephant march is taken out, informally known as 'Jambo Safari?, remembering the grandeur of the Vijaynagar Empire's rule. People gather in large numbers for a procession, often causing overcrowding in the small city that Hampi has survived as. The parade includes men dressed up as military men of the medieval time on foot and horsebacks. The march is an apparent repercussion of the former empirical grandeur of an empire which the people have kept alive in their hearts, and relive it in traditions and festivities.  

Raja Marg

The Virupaksha temple enjoyed the honour of a guardian shrine of the Vijayanagar Empire. It is a temple of Lord Virupaksha, an attribute of Lord Shiva. Though the temple existed for a long time ago, it was enlarged during the Vijayanagara reign. The Vijayanagara kings patronised the shrine. Therefore, the road leading towards it, known as the 'Raja Marg', is adorned with decorations and lights on the Hampi Utsav as though for welcoming a king.

Janapada Kalavahini

Folk songs constitute a significant part of the Hampi Utsav and performers entertain the visitors with much enthusiasm. The event is known as 'Janapada Kalavahini' which caters the visitors' with songs sung in the local language, while the traditional instruments such as pipes and flutes are played. Folk dances of Karnataka also are an essential ingredient of the Hampi Utsav.

Shows

Puppet shows are held at varied locations, providing entertainment for the visitors with the art-form rarely to be found elsewhere, or in other festivals, today. The fireworks light up the sky above Hampi during the festive period. The light and sound show at the ruins of Hampi is a major attraction of the festival and takes the audience back to the golden days of the Vijayanagar empire.

Shopping

Apart from these, the three-day long festival provides a great shopping experience for the admirers of traditional handicrafts and other items particular to the region. The local food of Karnataka is an area deserving much exploration, and there is no better occasion than the Hampi Utsav to taste these delicacies.

Sports

The Hampi Utsav is organised by the government of Karnataka, to relive the grandeur of the rich history and to increase tourism and revenue in the state. For utilising the Hampi Utsav to the fullest for the benefit of the state in cultural and commercial fronts, the government has been introducing newer events in it. Watersports, rock climbing, and rural native games have found a place in the celebrations of the Hampi Utsav.

The History of Hampi - Culture & Traditions

Hampi was the capital of the famous Vijayanagar Empire, the most prosperous empire of the Indian subcontinent in the 14th century. The Vijayanagar Empire was a centre of trade & commerce as well as culture and traditions. The famous ruler of the Tuluva dynasty, Krishnadeva Raya, brought the empire to its zenith, and thus Hampi became the second largest city of the medieval era, with Beijing in China being on the top of the list.