Plan your trip · Hampi
What's on in Hampi
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Hampi — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Hampi right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Hampi
Hampi packs most of its outdoor calendar into the cooler months; the pre-monsoon peak is hot enough that daytime processions are genuinely hard going. Broadly, Oct – Mar is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Signature to Hampi
Hampi Utsav
🗓️ November–JanuaryDance, music and light staged among the ruins.
Planning: Also the only comfortable season to walk the site — summer here is genuinely punishing.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Hampi's biggest events bring the ruins back to life. Hampi Utsav, organised by the Karnataka government, fills the site with music, dance and lit-up monuments over a few days, while Virupaksha Temple has its own calendar of festivals, including the chariot procession through Hampi Bazaar and the Phala Puja celebrations in December.
Festival dates change each year, and Hampi Utsav in particular has moved between November and March in different years. Check the dates for the year before you book, and reserve a room early if you plan your trip around an event.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Hampi
- Book your stay early for Hampi Utsav, when rooms in Hampi and Hosapete fill up quickly.
- Arrive early at the main stages and the temple car procession for a good view.
- Carry water and a hat, as daytime events can be hot even in the cooler months.
- Dress modestly for temple festivals at Virupaksha.
- Plan how you will get back at night, as autos are in high demand after big events.
- Keep your belongings safe in crowded areas.
Questions
Hampi — FAQ
What are the main festivals in Hampi?
The main events are Hampi Utsav, the Virupaksha car festival (Rathotsava), Phala Puja in December and Maha Shivaratri at Virupaksha Temple. Diwali and other national festivals are also celebrated.
What happens at Hampi Utsav?
Hampi Utsav is a cultural festival with classical and folk music, dance, light shows and processions staged among the ruins. It usually runs for about three days.
When is the Virupaksha car festival?
The Virupaksha car festival is usually held around March or April, when the deities are taken in a large wooden chariot along Hampi Bazaar. Check the date for the year locally.
What is Phala Puja in Hampi?
Phala Puja is held at Virupaksha Temple, usually in December, and celebrates the betrothal of Lord Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa. It is followed by the celestial wedding festivities.