Hoysala Mahotsava
Hoysala Mahotsava is a dance festival held at the magnificent temples of Belur and Halebid in Karnataka in the month of March. The majestic Hoysala temples with their marvelous sculptures make a perfect venue for this cultural festival. The splendid event recreates the grandeur of the bygone era.

Hampi / Vijaynagar Festival
The festival is organized annually in November-December in the magnificent ruined city of Hampi, which was once the capital of the Vijaynagar empire. Hosted by the State Government, the city comes to life during the lively festival, which includes dance, drama, music, fireworks, puppet shows, and marvelous processions.

Dussehra
A ten-day festivity, the festival of Dussehra is symbolic of the victory of good over evil. The festival is celebrated with pomp and gaiety in Mysore and the city is transformed into a paradise with illuminated streets and arches. The highlights of the celebration are cultural programmes, exhibitions, music festivals, torchlight processions that culminates with a grand procession on the tenth day headed by a caparisoned elephant.

Vairamudi Festival
Melkote, 150 kms from Banglore hosts the famous Vairmudi Festival. During the month of Panguni (March-April), the Cheluvanarayana temple celebrates the ten-day long Brahmotsava festival whose main highlight is the Vairamudi Festival on the fourth day of Brahmotsava. On this day, the deity of shrine Sri Cheluvanarayanaswamy adorns the legendary diamond-studded crown brought from the Mysore Palace. ‘Vairamudi’ in Tamil literally means ‘diamond studded crown’. The festival is witnessed by thousands of devotees.

Kambala (Buffalo Race)
The historically famous Kambala race is held annually between November to March in Baradi Beedu, Bolantur, Kolatta Majalu, Bajagoli, Puttur, Kamalakatte and Uppinangadi.A rural sport in southern coastal Karnataka originally began as a royal pastime and was later continued by the feudal lords of the Tulu region.

Tula Sankramana
Tula Sankramana, the first day of Kodava month of Toleyar, is celebrated as the day of birth of Cauvery. The festival is celebrated on 17th of October at Kodagu in Coorg district. Legend states that Parvati appeared in a dream to Devakanta and asked him to gather the family of his father Chandravarma in Balamuri and await her arrival. He did as he was instructed and on the day of Tula Sankramana, River Cauvery came flowing down. The families of Chandravarma bathed in the holy waters of Cauvery and were purified. It is believed that Goddess Cauvery appears in the form of a sudden upsurge of water in a small tank to give darshan to the devotees gathered here. This event is known as theerthodbhava and is celebrated with much enthusiasm.