Hampi is set to witness yet another extravaganza of music, dance, and art in the 2017 version of the Hampi Utsav. The grand festival celebrating the cultural richness of Karnataka will be held from 3rd to 5th November 2017. The festival will bring together a number of national and international artists and offer a glorious spectacle of their performances.
Altogether 8 stages have been set for the cultural programs of Hampi Utsav, 2017. Renowned singers from Bollywood like Shaan and Kunal Ganjawala will perform at the festival. Many Kannada and international artists will also perform and enthral the audience. Around 25 to 30 artists will be performing every day at the festival.
Among the many attractions planned for Hampi Utsav 2017 are:
Hampi Utsav 2017 – Enjoy Hampi by Sky
It is a helicopter ride programme that will offer enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy a bird’s eye view of Hampi and its famous ruins.
- Date: 31st Oct to 7th Nov
- Timings: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Charge: INR 2,300 per person for 7 min ride
- Venue: Hotel Maurya Bhuvaneshwari, Kamalapura
- Contact: +91 78924 59810, +91 95384 30065, +91 72900 60161, 088 2812 2245
Hampi Utsav 2017 Activities
Light and Sound Show
One of the highlights of the festival, the Light and Sound show has been planned for an extended period.
- Date: 3rd Nov to 9th Nov
- Timings: 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
- Venue: Near Kamala Mahal
Adventure Sports
Adventure sports activities like rock climbing, rapelling, ziplining, target shooting, trampoline, ladder climbing, obstacles, and rope climbing are among the planned events.
- Date: 3rd Nov to 5th Nov
- Timings: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Contact: +91 94836 41234
Water Sports
Several water sports events like boating, motor boat ride, rowing, inflatable boat ride, coracle, canoeing, water scooter, surfing, and speedboat ride are open to the public.
- Date: 3rd Nov to 5th Nov
- Timings: 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Venue: Kamalapura tank
- Contact: +91 99865 91542 or +91 74119 81152
Swimming
For those interested in swimming, a swimming event has been planned that will be open to the public.
- Date: 5th Nov
- Timings: 10:00 am onwards
- Venue: Ballari district stadium pool, District Sports Complex
- Contact: +91 94497 90889
Kids Activity
Kids can indulge in fun activities like face painting, fun games, and caricature.
- Date: 3rd Nov to 5th Nov
- Timings: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Horse Galloping Show
Horse lovers can have a great time at the horse galloping show where several fine riders will showcase their abilities.
- Date: 2nd Nov to 4th Nov
- Timings: 4:30 pm
- Venue: Vidyaranyapura School Ground
Pet Show
Pet lovers can bring along their pets to the pet show that has been kept open to the public for participation.
- Date: 5th Nov
- Timings: 9:00 am onwards
- Contact: +91 94481 27848, 94482 33756, 08394 227848, 08392 276358
Rangoli and Mehndi
Rangoli and Mehndi competitions will be a fun event to participate for those who love to explore their creative side through fine designs patterns and colors. The competition has been kept open to the public for participation.
- Date: 3rd and 4th Nov
- Timings: 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Venue: Sri Virupaksha Temple
- Contact Details: Backward Classes Welfare Office near Rangamandir in Ballari. +91 98867 96989/ 08392 275751.
Exhibition
There will be an exhibition of flowers, fruits, books, food, paintings, art and crafts, sculpture, and agriculture-related items.
- Date: 2nd Nov to 5th Nov
- Timings: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Venue: Ground opposite Grama Panchayath
Food Court
People craving to have a taste of the traditional delicacies will get an opportunity to do so at the special food court set up at Krishna Bazaar which is located opposite to the Krishna temple.
- Date: 3rd Nov to 5th Nov
Hampi Utsav 2017 – Sports Events
Several sports events have been lined up for the festival, such as floodlit volleyball, kabaddi, weightlifting, tug of war, etc. There will be a contest of kusti, a rural sport that was popular even during the days of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Volleyball
- Date: 3rd Nov
- Timings: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Venue: Volleyball ground
Weightlifting and Kabaddi
- Date: 3rd Nov
- Timings: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Venue: Vidyaranya Peetha School grounds
Wrestling (for both men and women)
- Date: 4th Nov
- Timings: 10:30 am to 4:00 pm
- Contact: +91 94497 90889
How to Reach Hampi
By Air
The nearest airport is located at Bellary which is at a distance of 60 km from Hampi. It is a domestic airport. One can hire a prepaid taxi or cab to reach Hampi from the airport. The nearest international airport is the Kempegowda International Airport located in Bengaluru.
By Rail
Hospet is the nearest railway station to Hampi. The 13 km distance between Hospet and Hampi can be easily covered in a cab.
By Road
Hampi is well connected to several major cities like Bengaluru, Goa, and Hyderabad through national highways. There are also public and private buses that ply people from the above-mentioned cities as well as other nearby cities and towns to Hampi.
Note: If you are traveling to Hampi on a four-wheeler, remember that the entry of four-wheelers inside the city has been prohibited during the Hampi Utsav. You will have to park your vehicle near the Hampi Arch and reach the venues by taking the green buses put into service for this purpose.
