After 500 years, Hampi decked for Krishnadevaraya coronation ‘again’

HAMPI - The stage is set to relive the grand coronation of Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya Wednesday at this world heritage site five centuries after he founded the empire in the Deccan plateau of south India.

Hailed as the ‘golden era’ of prosperity, pomp and glory, the 16th century Vijayanagara empire was an epoch-making event in Indian history, as the illustrious emperor — a valiant warrior, great general and master military strategist — had also sown the seeds of democratic administration.

When the Deccan Sultanate rulers invaded the Vijayanagara kingdom in 1565, the empire’s suzerainty extended from Nellore to Udayagiri and from Kanyakumari in the southern coast to Kalinga in the east and up to Goa in the west.

After a 21-year glorious rule from 1509-1529, Krishnadevaraya left behind a rich legacy of artefacts, treasury troves, temples, palaces, exquisite monuments and a royal city that was declared in 1986 a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the coronation in a grand style, the Karnataka government has decked up Hampi, around 15 km from Hospet in Bellary district, and organised a three-day festival (utsav) from Jan 27-29.

“Celebration of the 500th year of coronation of Krishnadevaraya is not only a tribute to a great son of the soil, but also an inspiration to one and all at all times,” Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said.

To be inaugurated by Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, the grand fest will recreate the pomp, grandeur and glory of the life and times of the empire through various cultural programmes, including song and dance, sound and light show.

“A foundation stone to build a theme park with a 25-foot-tall bronze statue of Krishnadevaraya will be laid during the fest. The park will project the history of Hampi and Vijayanagara kingdom,” state Tourism and Infrastructure Minister G. Janardhan Reddy told IANS.

The park on the banks of the Tungabhadra river will be built on the lines of Akshsardham temple on the banks of the Yamuna river in Delhi.

A commemorate stamp and a coin with Krishnadevaraya’s portrait will be issued to mark the mega event.

Central Home Minister P. Chidambaram, who will be the chief guest, will release two books titled “Hampi, the Splendour that Was” and “Vijayanagara Through the Eyes of’.

Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar will grace the occasion while Yeddyurappa will preside over the inaugural function.

Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani and Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi will participate in the valedictory function Friday.

Kannada University near Hampi and the state government will provide about 80 acres of land to set up a permanent exhibition, recreating Hampi’s grandeur as the jewel of the Vijayanagara empire during the reign of Krishnadevaraya.

“Researcher M. Chidananda Murthy, historians Suryanath Kamath, Sindagi Rajashekar, A. Sundar and S.R. Rao of the state archaeology department will be felicitated for their work on the empire,” Reddy added.

The 100-pillared Hampi Vittalaya temple was built during the Krishnadevaraya’s reign.

Scholars like Tenali Ramakrishna, Allasani and Rudra Bhatta were among the stalwarts adorned the court of Krishnadevaraya, who was a renowned poet and scholar.

The king’s epic poetic works “Amuktha Malyada”, dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati; “Madalasa Charitra” and “Jananachintamani Sakalakathasangraha” are testimonies to his literary talents.

The emperor was also instrumental in starting the famous 10-day Mysore Dasara festival and institutionalising the Vasanthotsava celebrations with great fanfare.