Grand fete to mark 500th coronation anniversary

Briefing reporters after a cabinet sub-committee meeting on the issue, Reddy said the celebrations will culminate with a three-day extravaganza at Hampi, the seat of the dynasty, from January 27.

The Government has planned celebrations across the S tate by organising road shows, sound and light shows in all district headquarters.

Chief Minister Yeddyurappa will launch the celebrations by laying the foundation stone for a theme park on a 235 acre plot in Hampi on December 20. There are also plans to invite heads of various nations for the event besides chief ministers of neighbouring states.

The education department will hold essay and elocution competition for school children. Special trips will also be arranged for school children to Hampi.

Private producers will be encouraged to launch a mega television serial on the life and times of Krishnadevaraya in Kannada. The serial will also be dubbed in Hindi and other languages. Yeddyurappa had already written to the Centre to launch a special coin and stamp on Krishnadevaraya during the month-long celebrations, Reddy added.

The celebrations were earlier scheduled to be held from November 3, had to be postponed following the devastating floods in North Karnataka. Yeddyurappa also participated in the deliberations of the sub-committee meeting for sometime.