The historical city of Hampi is all set to bedazzle with color, light, and bonhomie as Hampi Utsav 2022 will take center stage in the month of January. This is the time when all roads in South India lead to the prehistoric city of Hampi.The festivities date back to the times of Vijayanagar empire, and thus it is also known as the Vijaya Utsav.
Hampi Utsav is a congregation of various events that highlight the glorious past of India. Renowned artists from all over the country and Bollywood stars perform at this cultural extravaganza and make Hampi one of the most popular places to visit in January. The opulence, clubbed with festivities around, makes the ruins of Hampi a spectacle worth beholding.
About Hampi festival In Karnataka
Hampi Utsav 2022 will be a 3-day long carnival, which is also one of the biggest arrangements made by Karnataka government. It is inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, and admission is completely free for all visitors. Recently, the district administration of Hampi has hinted that the festival might go international and could be stretched to 5 days from the existing duration of 3 days. Read more about the story here.
While the exact schedule of Hampi Utsav 2022 is yet to be announced, the festival – like always- will include a flurry of attractions such as classical & traditional dance performances, skits and dramas, fireworks, puppet shows, and spectacular parades. Every year, a large number of people gather in Hampi to be a part of the celebrations and the city gets all decked up to offer a wonderful experience to its guests.
Venue: Hampi Village, Vijayanagar, Karnataka
Hampi Utsav 2022 dates: January 13- 15
Over the last few years, the Hampi festival has been celebrated alternately in November (3-5), which were also the dates of Hampi Utsav 2016, & January (9-11). However, the dates for the festival in 2022 have been confirmed for January.
How To Reach Hampi City
By air: Bellary is the nearest airport to Hampi and is very well connected to major airports in India. The 60 km distance between the airport and Hampi can be covered by hiring a prepaid taxi or a cab.
By rail: Hospet is the nearest railhead located at a distance of 13 km from Hampi. Hire a cab to reach the place with utmost ease.
By road: Hampi is very well connected to major cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Goa by the national highway. One can easily reach Hampi by taking a public or a private bus from any of the aforementioned cities.
The entry of four-wheeler vehicles inside the city is prohibited during the entire festival. Visitors must park their vehicle near Hampi Arch and take the green bus that takes them to different venues.
Suggested Read: 20 Most Famous Historical Places In India: You Think You Know Them Well Enough?
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Hampi Utsav Highlights
1. One of the biggest attractions of Hampi Festival is the ‘light & sound show‘. The 15 km stretch of Hampi ruins along the banks of Tungabhadra river lights up in different hues, looking absolutely spectacular.
2. Puppet shows, traditional dance & drama, music shows, procession, and cracker shows make for the heart & soul of the 3-day event.
3. The parade of well-decorated horses and elephants with sounds of pipes and trumpets in the background is also a highlight. It depicts the military might of the Golden Era when Hampi thrived.
4. Another prime attraction is the path leading to the Virupaksha temple. Known as the Raja Marg, it is beautifully decorated as part of the Hampi festival celebrations.
5. To keep the guests occupied, various shows, competitions, and exhibitions are held in Hampi during the festival.
6. To attract young tourists from surrounding cities as well as different parts of the country, Hampi festival now arranges sports like table tennis, volleyball, kabaddi, swimming, stone lifting, and mud field race among others.
7. For art and culture enthusiasts, performances by classical Indian dancers and Carnatic vocalists are a major pull.
8. Located near Vittala temple, King’s Balance is a tourist attraction in Hampi. In the olden times, this is where kings were weighed against gold or money on major festivals. The weighed wealth was then distributed among the poor.
9. ‘Janapada Kalavahini’– a concert of folk dance & songs, and ‘Jumbo Savari’– an elephant march are two events that should not be missed during Hampi festival.
10. Watch out for modern craftsmen exhibiting beautiful handicrafts and leather puppets. Their skills are a proof that traditional skills thrive even today.
Places To Visit Near Hampi
Picturesque as the place is, one just doesn’t visit Hampi to experience the light and festivities. There are a few places in and around Hampi that make it one of the best places to visit in Karnataka.
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Ballari
Suggested Read: Seven Wonders Of India That You Wouldn’t Want To Miss
Places to stay in Hampi
The Hampi Utsav spans for a duration of 3 days and the city boasts of some exciting stay options where you can plan a comfortable stay. Some of the highly recommended stay options in Hampi are Hampi’s Boulders, Heritage Resort Hampi, Clarks Inn Hampi, Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari Kamalapur, and Kishkinda Heritage Resort.
Equipped with all the modern amenities these hotels offer elegant and luxurious stay options in the vicinity of the ancient city. The tariff of these hotels ranges from INR 1500 – 8000. Plan a stay in one of these hotels to make your trip a pleasant experience.
Find out the reviews of some of the most sought after hotels in Hampi here.
Further Read: 15 Winter Festivals In India You Must Attend
There are charming places in India you must visit in winter and Hampi Utsav makes for the perfect reason for a trip to the historical city at least once in a lifetime. Take a trip to Hampi in January to experience an unprecedented fusion of culture and art.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hampi Utsav
What is the most important festival in Hampi?
The most marvelous festival celebrated in Karnataka is the Hampi Utsav which is being celebrated since the Vijaynagar reign. It is also known as Vijaya Utsav and is a cultural extravaganza where people come from various stated of India.
What is the best time to visit Hampi?
The weather in Hampi in the winter season remains cool and pleasant to explore the city. Thus, it is one of the best times to visit Hampi and take a dip in the cultural heritage of Karnataka. Apart from this, one can also visit in the monsoon season as the weather is pleasant.
Who discovered the ruins of Hampi?
The ruins of Hampi were discovered in 1800 by an antiquarian as well as an engineer named Colonel Colin Mackenzie. He was an employee of the English East India Company.
How can I go to Hampi from Bangalore?
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Bangalore to Hampi. The fastest way to reach Hampi is by hiring a car from Bangalore and cover a distance of 342 kilometers. Otherwise, you can book a seat on the Hampi Express which will take you till the Hospet Junction from where you can hire a taxi to reach Hampi.
What is Hampi famous for?
Hampi has been famous for its ruins since its discovery. The ruins can be dated back to the medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar and have also bagged the title of the World Heritage Site.
Is Hampi worth visiting?
If you are cultural fanatic and loves to take a trip to the past then Hampi is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.
How many days do you need in Hampi?
If you want to explore Hampi properly then a minimum of 2-3 days are required is explore the ruins and majestic monuments. As all the ruins are nearby, it becomes easy to visit all of them then 2-3 days.
What can I buy in Hampi?
From handmade crafts to decoration items, you will everything in the popular Hampi Bazaar. Apart from this, you can also buy artworks and cards from art galleries.
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A perpetual nature seeker, Amit is on a mission to explore the best of planet Earth. Much famed as the Whistling Hound, Amit’s is currently based out of Wroclaw in Poland, and is experiencing the best of his life in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.
