The Hampi Utsav, to be inaugurated today, will recall the glory of the Vijayanagara empire.

For the first time, the festival is being organised in the absence of elected representatives. The mega festival to be held on November 3 to 5 will feature art, culture, literature, sports and historical events.

All of Hampi is geared up to celebrate this utsav. Simultaneous shows will be held on six stages; the main stage is near the Basavanna temple. At Aanelaya premises - the Karnataka Vaibhava - a sound and light show has been arranged, and near Kaddirampur, the wrestling ground has been prepared. Meanwhile the Kamalapur lake will host water sports.

Procession
A massive procession, Janapada Vahini, will mark the valedictory of the festival. More than 25 folk troupes will depict the State’s culture.

More than 200 artistes including Koushik Chatterjee of Kolkata, Madhava Gudi of Dharwad, Hariharan of Mumbai, Geeta Mahalik of Delhi, Ganapati Bhat Hasanagi of Yellapur, Anuradha Paudwal, Sugato Baduri of Kolkata and music director Hamsalekha will take part. Art troupes from Srilanka, Mauritius and Africa will also present programmes.

The Hampi Utsav Committee has been including new programmes every year to attract more people. This year, the committee has included cycling, heritage walks and Hampi tours for 300 students selected from across the State.

The Virupaksha temple, Vijaya Vittala Mandir, Basavanna, Sasive, Kadalekalu Ganapa temples and rocks have been illuminated.  Huge arches, hoardings and sign oards have been installed. Buildings have been given a new look.

Inauguration
Governor Rameshwar Thakur will inaugurate the mega event at 5 pm ton Saturday. State Legislative Assembly Speaker Krishna will preside over the programme. MLAs and MPs from the district will also participate in the inaugural function.