Hampi's big day, CM H D Kumarawamy to open utsav

Ballari: Bowing to pressure from artistes, lovers of art and music and  pro-Kannada organisations, the state government has decided to hold the Hampi Utsav at the world heritage site of Hampi on March 2 and 3. Chief Minister H D Kumarawamy will inaugurate festival on Saturday along with Kannada film star , Darshan Toogudeep.

Deputy Commissioner and chairman of the  Hampi Utsav Committee, Ramprasath Manohar said four stages had been erected for cultural events near the Yeduru Basava Mantap  and one each near the Sasivekal and Kadlekal Ganesh idols.

As part of the festival people will also get to enjoy a ten minute chopper ride, 'Hampi by Sky'  for  Rs 2,500 . The state government has  released around Rs 3 crore  from the departments of Kannada and Culture and Tourism for the festival which is likely to cost  around  Rs 5.5 crore to organise. "The government has  released Rs 3 crore and the balance will have to be managed through donations," Mr Manohar said.

Superintendent of Police, Arun Rangarajan said arrangements had been made for free flow of traffic during the two days in the district and for adequate parking space. Besides CCTV cameras would be installed at strategic points and drones used for security, he added.

The Hampi Utsav was first scheduled to be held from November 3 to 5 last year, but was put off  owing to the severe drought. It will now be organized on a smaller scale than usual and for a mere two days instead of three as has been the practice till now.