Hoysala Mahotsava
Hoysala Mahotsava is a dance festival held
at the magnificent temples of Belur and Halebid in Karnataka in the month of
March. The majestic Hoysala temples with their marvelous sculptures make a
perfect venue for this cultural festival. The splendid event recreates the
grandeur of the bygone era.
Hampi / Vijaynagar Festival
The festival is organized annually in
November-December in the magnificent ruined city of Hampi, which was once
the capital of the Vijaynagar empire. Hosted by the State Government, the
city comes to life during the lively festival, which includes dance, drama,
music, fireworks, puppet shows, and marvelous processions.
Dussehra
A ten-day festivity, the festival of
Dussehra is symbolic of the victory of good over evil. The festival is
celebrated with pomp and gaiety in Mysore and the city is transformed into a
paradise with illuminated streets and arches. The highlights of the
celebration are cultural programmes, exhibitions, music festivals,
torchlight processions that culminates with a grand procession on the tenth
day headed by a caparisoned elephant.
Vairamudi Festival
Melkote, 150 kms from Banglore hosts the
famous Vairmudi Festival. During the month of Panguni (March-April), the
Cheluvanarayana temple celebrates the ten-day long Brahmotsava festival
whose main highlight is the Vairamudi Festival on the fourth day of
Brahmotsava. On this day, the deity of shrine Sri Cheluvanarayanaswamy
adorns the legendary diamond-studded crown brought from the Mysore Palace. ‘Vairamudi’
in Tamil literally means ‘diamond studded crown’. The festival is
witnessed by thousands of devotees.
Kambala (Buffalo Race)
The historically famous Kambala race is
held annually between November to March in Baradi Beedu, Bolantur, Kolatta
Majalu, Bajagoli, Puttur, Kamalakatte and Uppinangadi.A rural sport in
southern coastal Karnataka originally began as a royal pastime and was later
continued by the feudal lords of the Tulu region.
Tula Sankramana
Tula Sankramana, the first day of Kodava
month of Toleyar, is celebrated as the day of birth of Cauvery. The festival
is celebrated on 17th of October at Kodagu in Coorg district. Legend states
that Parvati appeared in a dream to Devakanta and asked him to gather the
family of his father Chandravarma in Balamuri and await her arrival. He did
as he was instructed and on the day of Tula Sankramana, River Cauvery came
flowing down. The families of Chandravarma bathed in the holy waters of
Cauvery and were purified. It is believed that Goddess Cauvery appears in
the form of a sudden upsurge of water in a small tank to give darshan to the
devotees gathered here. This event is known as theerthodbhava and is
celebrated with much enthusiasm.
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