All roads lead to Hampi

Hampi: Sultry weather failed to stop the flow of visitors to the Hampi Utsav which kicked off on Thursday amid colourful performance by hundreds of artistes. Started in 1983, the festival has grown bigger this year, presenting more programmes and facilities.
The crowd at Virupaksha temple was treated to as many as 25 varieties of folk performances as a part of Shobha Yatre.Dressed in dazzling costumes, the artistes turned the area around the temple into a riot of colours.
The Hampi Utsav was conceived by former deputy chief minister MP Prakash, who was also a renowned theatre personality. He envisioned the Hampi Utsav along the lines of the Mysuru Dasara festival. The curtains went up on the three-day international cultural festival with chief minister Siddaramaiah formally inaugurating the event.
The festival will focus on history, art and culture. Siddaramaiah said that the government is committed to encouraging art and would lend all support to artists.
Paying homage to Sri Krishnadevaraya, one of the greatest kings in Indian history, the CM said, "Krishnadevaraya was a secular ruler, who provided equal opportunity to people from all castes and religion."
Siddaramaiah said that this year, 139 taluks are staring at drought. "Bidar, Kalaburagi and parts of Raichur, however, are faced with a problem of floods. The state has sought funds of Rs 4,000 crore under the National Disaster Relief Fund from the Centre. There is no dearth of funds for drought relief works to be undertaken. I have given the district administration a free hand to oversee the relief works. All taluks of Ballari are reeling under drought, and I will ensure that relief work in the district is expedited," he added.
Labour minister Santosh S Lad, public works department minister HC Mahadevappa and deputy commissioner of Ballari, Ramprasad V Manohar were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.