Belgaum synonymous with syncretism, discover visitors

The festive mood witnessed in the City during the grand procession and inauguration of the World Kannada Conference (WKC) on Friday, was enhanced on the second day of the event on Saturday.

People from around the district and neighbouring districts descended on the city in thousands to participate in the extravaganza.

All roads leading to the city were swarmed with people draped in red and yellow Kannada flags and vehicles too displayed the flags.

Seminars, poetry sessions and cultural events were held at different venues across the city. This resulted in enthusiasts moving around the city exploring the venues and admiring its cosmopolitan culture.

Despite food being made available at venues conducting various programmes, visitors preferred local hotels and other food joints offering delicacies in typical ‘Belgaum style,’ a blend of different cuisines.

Locals too joined the visitors at the food joints to enjoy the delicacies.

This resulted in chaos at some of the food joints in the heart of the city.

Locals and visitors relished the food at the hotels in Tilakwadi and Wadgaon, exchanging pleasantries and sharing their thoughts.

Delicacies made of local varieties of brinjals, chutneys of different flavours, wheat kheer, jowar ‘roti,’ ‘kadabu,’ ‘jhunaka,’ steam rice with curds, besides popular local sweets like ‘kardant’ and ‘kunda’ left a lingering taste in the mouths of the food connoisseurs.

Mahesh, a visitor from Dharwad, said he did not expect such hospitality for the local people. “Visitors like me were happy for the hospitality and the quality of food provided.

We felt at home,” he said. Savitamma from Hubli echoed the same feelings.

Belgaumites said they were known for their hospitality and the same was apparent from the joy on the the faces of the visitors.