Detailed Information about Hampi Festival & Its Importance

Hampa is a small village located in the northern part of Karnataka. It is an important religious and cultural centre which has many temples and monuments belonging to ancient Vijaynagar era. Among the many tourist allurements in Hampa, the Hampi Festival is a major attraction for the tourists and also one of the most awaited festivals in the region. It is held annually during the first week of November in the ruined village of Hampa and is organized by the Government of Karnataka. This festival also known as the Vijaya Utsav and it has been heartily celebrated since the times of Vijanagar reign. Entire region of Hampa comes alive during this 3 day extravaganza of dance, art and music.

Why Hampi Festival celebrated?

This festival has been celebrated since the times of Vijayanagar reign when kings and maharajas ruled the place. So, Government of Vijaynagar organises this festival to attract people around the world to showcase the exotic carved ruins of Hampa and keep alive the cultural heritage of the place.

Hampi Festival Celebration

The Hampa Festival is the festival of joy and happiness and people actively take part and celebrate this 3 day fest with full enthusiasm. During this 3 day auspicious occasion, famed artists and craftsmen around the country attend the festival to showcase their immense talent in their respective field of art and music. The rich culture of Kannadigas in the field of art, music and dance is clearly reflected in this grand festival. Do expect hustle and bustle of huge crowd because people from every nook and corner of India attend the festival.

Traditionally made handicrafts can be seen in many of the stalls, leather puppets show are performed by the traditional craftsmen in the same manner that were done by the previous generation craftsmen. Renowned musicians play traditional pipes and drum recreating the rich culture of the bygone era. Cultural programmes are held where famed musicians and dramatists perform on stage.

During this festival, procession is taken out with decorated elephants and horses. Men dress in military clothes like they used to do in the Golden Era. This whole scenario really takes you back to the bygone era of Vijaynagar period. Well known classical dancers also perform traditional dances to entertain the people attending the festival.

Added attractions of Hampi Festival

Hampa has been declared as the World Heritage site by UNESCO. So, while you attend this grand festival, you can also visit many tourist spots in Hampa like the two storied Lotus Mahal, the huge Elephant Stables, the Queen's Bath, the Virupaksha Temple, the Pushkarini Tank, the Mahanavami Dibba, Vitthal Temple with its musical chariot and stone pillars, etc.

Hampa festival is thus all about dance, music, drama and fireworks. This festival is really the living testimony of the rich cultural and historical heritage of Vijaynagar era.