Hampi is a small little place in Karnataka and a well-known International tourist spot. Hampi celebrates quite many annual festivals, and most of them are temple festivals. These festivals attract huge crowds from not only India but from across the world. One such festival is the Hampi Festival, which has been celebrated since the times of the Vijayanagar period. Vijayanagar reign was one of the greatest empires in the history of India and one can experience the same grandeur during this colorful festival of dance and music.
Hampi Festival is also known as Hampi Utsav or the Vijaya Utsav, and it is celebrated every year from 3rd to 5th November in the midst of 100-year-old rocks and ruins. This festival is an ancient festival and has been celebrated since the time of the Vijayanagar reign. The Government of Karnataka has renamed this festival as the ‘Nada Utsava’. Hampi festival is a cultural festival that attracts countless people to participate and witness the happiness, art, dance, music and drama. People not only from India but from across the world comes to the Hampi village to take part in this festival with great enthusiasm.
Traditions
Hampi Festival is the largest festival at Hampi, and it is held every year for 3 days during the first week of November. This is a festival of art, music, dance and drama, and you can see eminent artistes from all over India taking part in it. This festival showcases the rich dance, music and art culture of Kannadigas. During this festival, the present generation craftsmen prepare the same beautiful and bright colored handicrafts and leather puppets, which were once prepared by the traditional craftsmen. To brighten the atmosphere traditional musical instruments such as pipes and drums are also played. This festival is promoted by the Government of Karnataka every year to increase the tourist influx to the state.
During this festival, the Hampi village roads give an impression of grandness and take you back to the era of Vijayanagar period. One can see decorated elephants and horses. Men are dressed like the way military men used to dress in the Golden Era. Classical dancers and classical vocalists entertain the audience with their striking performances. Hampi festival basically showcases music, dance, puppet shows, fireworks, and a huge procession is carried out on the final day, which exhibits the rich culture of the place. In the recent past activities like rock climbing, water sports and rural sports are also carried out during the festival. The admission to the festival and program is free.
Tourist Essential
Hampi is a World Heritage site, and therefore, it has immense importance for tourists. People who come to Hampi must visit tourist spots like the Queen's Bath, which has arched corridors, protruding balconies and lotus shaped fountains. The two-storied Lotus Mahal, the huge Elephant Stables, the magnificent Vitthal Temple, and the Virupaksha Temple are some brilliant historical sites that one should not miss.
