Moodbidri all set to witness 'Alvas Virasat-2023', dedicated to Captain MV Pranjal

The town of Moodbidri is all set to witness the 29th edition of Alvas Virasat to be held on the Alvas College campus from December 14 to 17. This year’s Virasat is dedicated to Captain M.V. Pranjal, who recently died in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu Kashmir.

Alvas Virasat-2023 will be inaugurated on December 14 at 5.45 pm and will be officiated by Governor Thavarchand Gehlot. Following this, a grand cultural procession will commence at 6.35 pm, featuring folk arts representing various regions, languages, towns, and professions. With over a hundred art troupes participating, the procession aims to encourage and celebrate diverse cultural expressions, with more than 4,000 artists taking part.

The festivities will extend beyond the stage program, with seven fairs capturing the attention of attendees from 9 am to 10 pm. These fairs include Agricultural Mela, Food Mela, Fruit and Flower Mela, Handicrafts and Antiques Mela, Art Fair, and an Exhibition of Artifacts and Photographs.

Notable events during the festival include “Gana Vaibhava” by film playback singer Benny Dayal on the 15th, “Bhav Lahari” by film playback singer Shreya Ghoshal on the 16th, and the prestigious Alvas Virasat-2023 Award ceremony will be held on the 17th at 5.15 pm. Renowned artists such as Dr. Mysore Manjunath, Dr. Pravin Godkhindi, and Vijaya Prakash will be honored during the ceremony.

A highlight of the festival is the cultural chariot movement scheduled from 8.05 to 9 pm on the 14th. This unique event will feature idols of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, along with the chariot of Ganapati and three palanquins carrying idols of Shri Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Hanuman.

The festivities will conclude on a spiritual note with bhajans performed by the Pandharpur, Mysore, and Harerama Harekrishna teams, creating a harmonious blend of culture and devotion.