CM DK Shivakumar Marks Karnataka Rajyotsava at Vidhana Soudha
Synopsis
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar paid floral tributes to Naadadevi Bhuvaneshwari at Vidhana Soudha on Karnataka Rajyotsava, 1 November 2026, calling on every Kannadiga to carry the state's language and culture forward every day — not just in November.
Key Takeaways
CM DK Shivakumar offered flowers and a garland at the Naadadevi Bhuvaneshwari statue at Vidhana Soudha's western gate on 1 November 2026 .
Cabinet Minister Madhu Bangarappa and Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh were present at the official ceremony.
Karnataka Rajyotsava marks the formation of the state on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act — 70 years ago .
The CMO's post declared: 'ಕನ್ನಡವೇ ಸತ್ಯ, ಕನ್ನಡವೇ ನಿತ್ಯ!' — 'Kannada is truth, Kannada is eternal!' The message urged Kannadigas to treat linguistic pride as a year-round commitment, not a November-only observance.
On the morning of 1 November 2026, as Karnataka marked another Rajyotsava, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stepped up to the western entrance of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru and offered floral tributes to the statue of state deity Naadadevi Bhuvaneshwari — a quiet, ceremonial act that carries the full weight of a state's linguistic identity.
The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka posted the moment on X with a declaration in Kannada: 'ಕನ್ನಡವೇ ಸತ್ಯ, ಕನ್ನಡವೇ ನಿತ್ಯ!' — 'Kannada is truth, Kannada is eternal!' — a phrase that has anchored Rajyotsava sentiment for generations. Shivakumar also garlanded a portrait as part of the official tribute.Vidhana Soudha's western gate and the Bhuvaneshwari ritual
Vidhana Soudha, the imposing seat of the Karnataka legislature, hosts the statue of Naadadevi Bhuvaneshwari — the presiding deity of the land — at its western gate. Paying homage there on Rajyotsava is an established official ritual, connecting the machinery of the modern state to Karnataka's classical cultural roots. Cabinet Minister Madhu Bangarappa and Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh were among the senior dignitaries present at the ceremony.
Seventy years since the States Reorganisation Act
Karnataka Rajyotsava marks the formation of the state on 1 November 1956, when the States Reorganisation Act unified Kannada-speaking regions into a single administrative unit. That act is now 70 years old — and the anniversary carries fresh resonance in a political climate where language rights and regional identity remain live questions across India's federal landscape.
A call that goes beyond November
The post carried a pointed message alongside the ceremony: that linguistic pride must not be 'limited to the month of November alone' but should be 'our breath every single day,' with every Kannadiga bearing responsibility for protecting the language, art, literature, and culture and carrying them forward to the next generation. It closed with a collective call — 'let us all come together and work for the all-round development of the state.'
It is a sentiment Rajyotsava rhetoric has always carried, but one the government clearly intends as a governing principle — not merely a seasonal slogan.
Point of View
The symbolism of the Chief Secretary standing beside the Chief Minister at this ceremony is not accidental — it signals institutional buy-in, not just political theatre.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Karnataka Rajyotsava and why is it celebrated on 1 November?
Karnataka Rajyotsava marks the formation of the state of Karnataka on 1 November 1956 , when the States Reorganisation Act merged Kannada-speaking regions into one administrative unit. It is celebrated annually as the state's 'formation day.'
Who is Naadadevi Bhuvaneshwari?
Naadadevi Bhuvaneshwari is the presiding deity of Karnataka, regarded as the goddess of the land. Her statue stands at the western gate of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru and is a focal point of official Rajyotsava tributes.
What did CM DK Shivakumar do on Karnataka Rajyotsava 2026?
CM DK Shivakumar offered floral tributes to the statue of Naadadevi Bhuvaneshwari and garlanded a portrait at the western gate of Vidhana Soudha on 1 November 2026 , accompanied by Minister Madhu Bangarappa and Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh.
What is the significance of the phrase 'Kannada is truth, Kannada is eternal'?
The Kannada phrase 'ಕನ್ನಡವೇ ಸತ್ಯ, ಕನ್ನಡವೇ ನಿತ್ಯ!' is a traditional Rajyotsava declaration affirming the permanence and primacy of the Kannada language and identity. It is widely used during state formation day observances.
Who is Dr Shalini Rajneesh?
Dr Shalini Rajneesh is the Chief Secretary of the Karnataka government — the senior-most civil servant in the state — and was present at the official Rajyotsava ceremony at Vidhana Soudha on 1 November 2026 .
