Drones to showcase Vijayanagara’s glory at Hampi Utsav

Hampi (Vijayanagara): Hampi is set to relive the splendour of the Vijayanagara Empire as preparations gather pace for the globally renowned Hampi Utsav 2026, scheduled to be held from Feb 13-15.The three-day cultural event is expected to attract visitors from across the country and abroad through a vibrant mix of heritage displays, traditional art forms, and cultural performances.
One of the major highlights of this year's festival will be a high-tech show featuring 1,000 drones. The night-time spectacle will recreate the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire by forming visually striking images of Hampi's iconic monuments in the sky. The drone show will be held daily from 7pm onwards near the main stage. The display will go beyond conventional light shows and present intricate aerial artworks of several heritage structures. These include the Stone Chariot, the Rajagopura of the Virupaksheshwara Swamy Temple, Ugra Narasimha, Kamal Mahal to name a few. Images of legendary Vijayanagara rulers such as Krishnadevaraya and Hakka-Bukka will also be depicted, promising a mesmerising experience for the audience. Adding to the attractions, a ‘Hampi by Sky' helicopter service is being introduced to offer visitors a daytime aerial view of the heritage site. Two helicopters will operate from Feb 12-15 from the Mayura Bhuvaneshwari premises in Kamalapura. Each flight will last seven minutes, including take-off and landing. Visitors can also explore food fairs, exhibitions, and a Chitra Sante during the festival. Other attractions at the ferstivalFeb 10: Bike rally from 8amFeb 11: The Tunga Aarati Mahotsav from 6pmFeb 12: Vijayanagara Vasantha Vaibhava procession from 3pmFeb 13: Rangoli competition from 10am