Karnataka Rajyotsava 2026: 71st Formation Day marked across state, CM Shivakumar pays tribute
Synopsis
Karnataka's 71st Formation Day drew statewide celebrations, with CM Shivakumar paying tribute at Vidhana Soudha, Union Minister Kumaraswamy calling Kannada 'eternal,' and 30 achievers honoured in Mandya — where ₹1,793 crore in development works were also flagged off the day before.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka celebrated its 71st Kannada Rajyotsava on 1 November with events across the state.
Shivakumar paid floral tributes to Bhuvaneshwari Devi at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
Kumaraswamy launched HMT Kannadiga wristwatches at Jalahalli, Bengaluru , and called Kannada 'the truth and eternal.' 30 achievers received the District Kannada Rajyotsava Award at Mandya's Sir M.
Visvesvaraya Stadium . ₹1,793 crore worth of 57 development works were launched in Mandya on 31 October , ahead of the celebrations.
Karnataka was unified on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act and renamed from Mysore State to Karnataka on 1 November 1973 .
Karnataka celebrated its 71st Kannada Rajyotsava on 1 November, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Union Ministers, and public representatives across the state paying tributes to the Kannada language, land, water, and culture. The occasion, also known as Karnataka Formation Day, marks the anniversary of the unified Kannada-speaking state that came into existence in 1956.
Celebrations at Vidhana Soudha
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar offered floral tributes to the idol of Bhuvaneshwari Devi at the Vidhana Soudha premises in Bengaluru, in keeping with the traditional observance of the day. Minister Madhu Bangarappa, Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh, and other senior dignitaries were present at the ceremony.
Kumaraswamy Calls for Pride in Kannada Identity
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy extended greetings to Kannadigas, invoking the popular sentiment: 'Wherever you may be and whatever you may become, remain a Kannadiga forever.' He described Kannada as 'the truth and eternal' and called upon people to celebrate the state's land, water, language, and culture with pride.
'Let us spread the glory of Kannada across the world,' Kumaraswamy said. He also participated in a Rajyotsava programme and the launch of HMT Kannadiga wristwatches at the HMT playground in Jalahalli, Bengaluru.
Mandya Marks the Day with Awards and Development Push
In Mandya, Large and Medium Irrigation Minister and District In-charge N. Chaluvarayaswamy hoisted the flag at Sir M. Visvesvaraya Stadium and called for Kannada to evolve beyond a household language into one of knowledge, science, technology, and employment. He stressed the need for Kannada to find a stronger footing in the era of artificial intelligence.
30 achievers from various fields were honoured with the District Kannada Rajyotsava Award at the Mandya event. The minister also noted that 57 major development works worth ₹1,793 crore had been launched across Mandya district on 31 October, in the presence of the Chief Minister.
The History Behind the Celebration
Kannada Rajyotsava is observed every year on 1 November to commemorate the unification of all Kannada-speaking regions of South India under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. The state was originally named Mysore State before being renamed Karnataka on 1 November 1973. The red-and-yellow Karnataka flag is hoisted across the state, students and communities participate in cultural events, and the government presents the prestigious Rajyotsava Awards to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in arts, literature, science, and social service.
This year's celebrations reinforced a recurring theme: protecting and elevating the Kannada language not just as a cultural symbol, but as an instrument of modern progress and economic opportunity.
Point of View
A familiar formula in Karnataka's electoral calendar. The ₹1,793 crore Mandya development push, timed to the day before Rajyotsava, underscores how closely cultural events and political optics are managed ahead of a state that remains fiercely contested.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kannada Rajyotsava and why is it celebrated on 1 November?
Kannada Rajyotsava, or Karnataka Formation Day, is celebrated on 1 November every year to mark the unification of all Kannada-speaking regions of South India under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. The state was originally called Mysore State and was renamed Karnataka on 1 November 1973.
How did CM D.K. Shivakumar mark Karnataka's 71st Rajyotsava?
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar paid floral tributes to the idol of Bhuvaneshwari Devi at the Vidhana Soudha premises in Bengaluru. Minister Madhu Bangarappa and Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh were among those present at the ceremony.
What did Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy do on Rajyotsava Day?
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy extended greetings to Kannadigas, calling Kannada 'the truth and eternal,' and participated in a Rajyotsava programme and the launch of HMT Kannadiga wristwatches at the HMT playground in Jalahalli, Bengaluru.
What happened at the Rajyotsava celebrations in Mandya?
District In-charge Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy hoisted the flag at Sir M. Visvesvaraya Stadium in Mandya, where 30 achievers received District Kannada Rajyotsava Awards. He also highlighted that 57 development works worth ₹1,793 crore had been launched in the district on 31 October.
Who is Bhuvaneshwari Devi and why is she significant to Kannada Rajyotsava?
Bhuvaneshwari Devi is the presiding deity associated with the Kannada identity and is venerated as the mother goddess of the Kannada land. Paying tribute to her idol at Vidhana Soudha is a customary part of the Chief Minister's Rajyotsava observance every year.
