Three-day Hampi Utsav to offer exciting mix of cultural events & adventure sports

Hosapete: The Hampi Utsav, the annual cultural festival to showcase the rich heritage and glory days of medieval Vijayanagara Empire, is set for a grand opening on Friday.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar will inaugurate the cultural extravaganza at 7.30 pm on Friday. Tourism Minister H K Patil, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi will take part in the inaugural event. The three-day Utsav is set to offer an exciting mix of cultural and adventure events.

Six stages, including the main stage named after former minister M P Prakash, across the ruins of Hampi will host a series of music and dance programmes. Musical performances by Rajesh Krishnan, Arjun Janya and Gurukiran troupes are lined up for three days. Actors Ramesh Aravind, Upendra, Vijay Raghavendra and Ramya will be the main attraction.

The three-day event will see music and dance performances, expo on organic farming, food expo, fish mela, kushti, Hampi by Sky helicopter ride over the ruins and goat and dog shows.