Uncertainty looms large over Karnataka's Kanakagiri Utsav

With a new cabinet is all set to be formed, uncertainty looms large on Kanakagiri festival, yet again.

The Kanakagiri festival which began in 2010, was organised for four times - 2013, 2015 and 2024. In 2025, the festival was deferred after locals objected to Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi’s decision to hold the Kanakagiri festival along with Kanakachalapathi jathra festival. 

Following the demand to hold the festival in 2026, Minister Tangadagi had told mediapersons that the government granted Rs 6 crore grant to conduct the festival and had announced the dates on May 9 and 10. 

Later, it was postponed to May 16 and 17 in view of car festivals of various village deities on May 9 and 10. 

Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal had even conducted a meeting to discuss the preparations in Kanakagiri and Koppal too.

Logo launched

After the meeting, the officials had released the festival logo and even printed invitation cards too. Work on erecting a stage, to prepare helipad and cooking preparation too was going on. The district administration had announced the names of artistes and their programmes as well. 

In view of the festival, the Youth Services and Sports Department had decided to hold sports meet at Karnataka Public School premises on May 14 and 15. But then chief minister had issued verbal orders to shift the festival to June 10 and June 11, disappointing artistes and people, alike. 

With ten more days to go for the revised schedule on June 10, Siddaramaiah has tendered resignation paving way for D K Shivakumar. Following this, there will be new cabinet and it is not clear whether Shivaraj Tangadagi will continue to be minister in Shivakumar cabinet. 

It is not certain whether the Kanakagiri festival will be conducted as per the schedule - June 10 and 11.