The town of Channamma’s Kittur is abuzz with preparations for the ‘Channamma’s Kittur Utsava’ (Channamma’s Kittur Festival), scheduled from October 23 to 25, marking the 202nd Vijayotsava (Victory Festival) of the warrior queen Rani Channamma. The festive spirit is amplified this year as the regional Dasara celebrations coincide with the historic Kittur Utsava. The town has been adorned with garlands, toranas, and electric lights, featuring illuminated displays of Rani Channamma, Basaveshwara, Guru Madivalaeshwara, and Yakshagana art that are drawing public attention.
Special lighting installations, modeled after the Mysore Dasara style, have been set up across the town, including on the National Highway side where a statue of Rani Channamma on horseback is located, as well as in the heart of the market. The entire town, including temples, trees, the fort’s inner courtyard, and government buildings, is illuminated. For the festival, three stages have been prepared: the Rani Channamma Stage within the fort complex, the Sardar Gurushiddappa Stage at the Veerabhadreshwara Temple, and the newly constructed Amaturu Balappa Stage at the Rani Channamma Memorial Building. A spacious, waterproof shamiana has been erected for the Rani Channamma Stage, covering 50,400 square feet, with a well-equipped media center set up behind it. Approximately 28 CCTV cameras have been installed across the town to prevent illegal activities and hooliganism.
The Vijayajyoti (Victory Flame) yatra, which departed from Bengaluru, traveled through various districts and taluks of the state, and stayed at the girls’ residential school on Thursday night. A procession carrying the flame is scheduled to move through the town at 11:00 AM on Friday, featuring diverse art troupes reflecting the region’s culture. A discussion forum on Rani Channamma and various perspectives on the state is also planned to engage literature enthusiasts.
For the first time, a cattle fair will be organized at the APMC market on October 23, with cash prizes announced for high-quality breeds. The three-day festival will also feature rural-style wrestling tournaments, a marathon, cycling, water adventure sports, and volleyball matches. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who was originally expected to inaugurate the event, will attend the closing ceremony. The district administration stated that the Peethadhipati of Rajaguru Sansthan Kalmath, Madivala Rajayogendra Swamiji, along with other Mathadhis, District Minister Sathish Jarkiholi, and MLA Babasaheb Patil, among other district ministers and MLAs, will be present. MLA Babasaheb Patil will officially launch the festival.
Cultural programs are scheduled as follows: on October 23 at 9:30 PM, a Rasamanjari performance by Shmita Malnad and Chandan Shetty’s troupe; on October 24 at 8:30 PM, a performance by Rajesh Krishnan’s troupe; and on October 25, film actor Sharan will perform at 8:50 PM, followed by Arjun Janya’s troupe at 9:30 PM.
