Bellary: World renowned Hampi locales will witness a wine festival from September 22 to 24. However, the event has drawn flak from none other than senior litterateur Nadoja Dr M Chidanandamurthy.
The event has been organised by Horticulture department to encourage grape cultivators. Various varieties of wine will be on display and for sale at 10 per cent discounted cost at the three-day festival.
However, Dr Chidanandamurthy has said that it was a rather saddening news to know that the department of horticulture thought it was okay to hold wine festival in the scared premises of Hampi.
He has argued that Hampi is not just a tourist hotspot, but is also a place of religious importance. There are several temples in Hampi and such events may tarnish the image of the place which is held in very high regard by the Kannadigas.
He has urged the state government to stop the event and if terminating the event is not possible, at least consumption of wine in the World Heritage Site premises must be prohibited.
