AFTER 500 YEARS, SHRI KRISHNADEVARAYA CORONATION *** Jai Maharaj posts
and/or www.mantra.com/jai
By Fakir Balaji
IANS
expressbuzz.com
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Hampi - The stage is set to relive the grand coronation of
Vijayanagara emperor Shri 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 Shri Shri 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.
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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