Introduction
Hampi Festival is a three day event which generally commemorated from 3rd to 5th November.Hampi has always bestowed many surprises and eye catching events for all its tourists from time immemorial.
The most famous is the King's Balance where kings were weighed against gold or money, which was then distributed to the poor.
The most famous is the King's Balance where kings were weighed against gold or money, which was then distributed to the poor.
Other Attractions at Hampi:
Some spots worth a visit are the Queen's Bath with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus shaped fountains,
the two storeyed Lotus Mahal, the huge Elephant Stables, the splendid Vitthal Temple with its musical pillars and the Stone Chariot, the Virupaksha Temple, Ugra Narasimha, the 6.7 meters tall monolith, the Pushkarini Tank, the Mahanavami Dibba, etc.
Some spots worth a visit are the Queen's Bath with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus shaped fountains,
the two storeyed Lotus Mahal, the huge Elephant Stables, the splendid Vitthal Temple with its musical pillars and the Stone Chariot, the Virupaksha Temple, Ugra Narasimha, the 6.7 meters tall monolith, the Pushkarini Tank, the Mahanavami Dibba, etc.
Virupaksha temple is still in use. Temples of this city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, and magnificent pavilions. Most of the site is early 16th century, built during the 20-year reign of the great Vijayanagar ruler, Krishna Deva Raya (1509 -1529).
How to Reach?
Hampi, once the capital of Vijayanagar it today in ruins, but at some point in history it boasted of extravaganza and unsplended riches. It is situated at a distance of approximately 353 km from the capital city of Bangalore. The closest town to Hampi is Hospet. Hospet is a travel hub providing connections to major parts of India.
By Road
Hampi is well connected by road to Bangalore and other major cities of Karnataka. KSRTC buses ply regularly from Hospet to Hampi. Travellers can either avail taxi or auto-rickshaw to explore the ruins of Hampi. Bicycles can also be obtained on rent.
By Train
Hampi do not have a railway station of its own and the nearest railhead to Hampi is Hospet, which is about 13 km from Hampi. There are about 10 daily trains and about 5 special trains, which ply once or twice a week. Two of these trains are from Bangalore.
By Air
Bellary is the nearest airport to Hampi. Air Deccan operates direct flights to Bellary Airport from Bangalore and Goa.
How to Reach?
Hampi, once the capital of Vijayanagar it today in ruins, but at some point in history it boasted of extravaganza and unsplended riches. It is situated at a distance of approximately 353 km from the capital city of Bangalore. The closest town to Hampi is Hospet. Hospet is a travel hub providing connections to major parts of India.
By Road
Hampi is well connected by road to Bangalore and other major cities of Karnataka. KSRTC buses ply regularly from Hospet to Hampi. Travellers can either avail taxi or auto-rickshaw to explore the ruins of Hampi. Bicycles can also be obtained on rent.
By Train
Hampi do not have a railway station of its own and the nearest railhead to Hampi is Hospet, which is about 13 km from Hampi. There are about 10 daily trains and about 5 special trains, which ply once or twice a week. Two of these trains are from Bangalore.
By Air
Bellary is the nearest airport to Hampi. Air Deccan operates direct flights to Bellary Airport from Bangalore and Goa.
Celebration
Hampi Festival is organized by the government of Karnataka to attract people all over the world to this magnificent land. At the hampi utsav the celebrations includes Dance, drama, music, fireworks; puppet shows and spectacular processions, all combine to recreate the grandeur of the bygone era.
Bright colored handicrafts, leather puppets done by the traditional craftsmen of the past are reproduced with the same skill by their present generation. Musical instruments such as pipes and drums traditionally played vibrate the air with past grandeur.
Many renowned artists are seen paying their share to the town during this Festival. All this combines to recreate the grandeur of Vijayanagar times.
Many renowned artists are seen paying their share to the town during this Festival. All this combines to recreate the grandeur of Vijayanagar times.
Throughout the lanes of Hampi, decorated elephants, horses and men dressed in the military fashion of the Golden Era are posted under the red, blue, green, white cloth “Gopuras”. At five different venues many vocalists, traditional dance artists entertain the guests and tourists.
One of the major attractions at the festival and especially for women is shopping, as Hampi presents some exquisite and elaborate varieties of craft and craftsmanship. All along the festival colorful, musical, vocal processions can be seen in Hampi which truly have great reflections of its past.
One of the major attractions at the festival and especially for women is shopping, as Hampi presents some exquisite and elaborate varieties of craft and craftsmanship. All along the festival colorful, musical, vocal processions can be seen in Hampi which truly have great reflections of its past.
Some other events at the Festival sre:
“Janapada Kalavahini " a concert of folk songs is a special attraction introduced this year festival.
"Jumbo Savari " similar to the Dasara elephant march is held at Hospet town. The Howdah in Panchaloha( made of 5 metals), from the Vijayanagar Empire is being used.
Light and sound show : Special lighting of monuments across the 15 km of Hampi ruins on the banks of Tungabadra is another attraction guaranteed to make the visitor mesmerize and put the spell of the ancient days.
“Janapada Kalavahini " a concert of folk songs is a special attraction introduced this year festival.
"Jumbo Savari " similar to the Dasara elephant march is held at Hospet town. The Howdah in Panchaloha( made of 5 metals), from the Vijayanagar Empire is being used.
Light and sound show : Special lighting of monuments across the 15 km of Hampi ruins on the banks of Tungabadra is another attraction guaranteed to make the visitor mesmerize and put the spell of the ancient days.
Hampi Festival 2010
The Schedule for the Hampi Utsav 2009 is slightly changed and government of Karnataka has planned grand celebrations of the festival in Jan 2010. As Jan 2010 mark the 500th anniversary of Vijayanagar king, Sri Krishnadevaraya ascending the throne.
Instead Govt. of Karnataka has planned to hold several series of programs from Nov 1, 2009 to Jan 29, 2010 as part of the anniversary celebrations while the grandiose cultural extravaganza is planned from 27-29 Jan 2010.
Instead Govt. of Karnataka has planned to hold several series of programs from Nov 1, 2009 to Jan 29, 2010 as part of the anniversary celebrations while the grandiose cultural extravaganza is planned from 27-29 Jan 2010.
