Two-day Ballari Utsava set for a grand opening today; 1,000 artistes to perform

BALLARI/ DHARWAD: The Ballari district administration is making preparations to celebrate the Ballari Utsav in a grand manner on January 21-22.
The assembly elections are about four months away and the government has decided to use this opportunity by celebrating this event successfully.
However, this is the first Ballari Utsav to be celebrated after the creation of Vijayanagara district in 2021.
A host of cultural activities featuring Sandalwood and Bollywood artistes as well as a sound and light show will be held.
The district administration has erected two stages. The main stage at the municipal ground named Ballari Raghav Vedike. Another stage, the Joladarashi Doddanagouda Vedike, is on the Kote Malleshwar temple premises.
The entire city is decorated with colourful lights.
The district administration has also organised Vasanth Vaibhav, a procession with folk troops on Friday. At least 1000 artistes have participated.
A grand occasion celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the city is set to take place on Saturday and Sunday. The event, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors from all over the region, will feature a wide range of activities and performances. The first Ballari Zilla Utsav includes a variety of events on folk music, dance, group singing and performance by Tallywood, Bollywood and Sandalwood.
A magic show by popular magician Prakash Hammadi clarinet, Tabla, and many more performances.
The district administration has conducted drawing, kite, rangoli and mehendi competitions already. They have also organised millet walks, bull-cart processions, cycle jathas and a 'Ballari by Sky' show.
Ballri deputy commissioner Pavan Kumar Malpati said, "Ballari Utsav is organising the first time, we are grandly celebrating this, people of the Ballari district to participate with wholehearted because two days events will give good entertainment also with the glory of the Ballari district."
Murugha Mutt decked up for jathra mahotsava
The century-old Murugha mutt on Savadatti road in Dharwad will hold a five-day jatra mahotsava of Madathani Murughendra Mahashivayogi on mutt premises.
Giving details of the annual fair and religious programmes, Murugha Mutt seer Mallikarjun Swami said that the event will be begin on January 22 at 9 am and Agadi Gurusiddha Swamiji and Nijaguna Shivayogi Swamiji will grace the occasion. At 7 pm, a book 'Chennabasava Puran' will be launched. District minister Halappa Achar will be the chief guest.
On January 23 at 6 pm, 'Shivanubhava Chintana' and guruvandana for Mahant Swamiji will be conducted.
The 81st convention of All-India Shivanubhava Samsthe will be held on January 24 at 7 pm. Nidsosi Mutt's Pancham Shivalingeshwar Swamiji will preside. There will be a guruvandana for Neelakanth Swamiji.
The annual award presentation ceremony will be held on January 25 at 6 pm. Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai will be presented 'Mrutyunjaya-Mahanth' award. Tontad Siddaram Swamiji will grace the occasion. Handloom and textile minister Shankar Patil Munenkoppa, MLAs Arvind Bellad and Amrut Desai will be guests.
On January 26 at 4 am, 'Linga Deekshe' will be held and at 4 pm, the annual car festival of Madathani Murughendra Mahashivayogi will be conducted.