Karnataka Rajyotsava – Celebrating the Karnataka Formation Day

Karnataka is a beautiful state that boasts rich culture, mesmerising locales and delicious cuisine. And to celebrate this beautiful land in India, we have the Karnataka Rajyotsava, one of the most popular festivals in the state. It is celebrated with great pomp on November 1, and is an important annual event in the Kannada calendar.  

The day commemorates the formation of the Karnataka state when all the Kannada speaking areas were combined to form the state on November 1, 1956. Karnataka Rajyotsava, which the locals also refer to as Karnataka Day, is a government holiday and the Kannada-speaking population worldwide celebrate the day.  

On the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava, the state government presents the Rajyotsava Awards, and the Chief Minister hoists the Karnataka flag. There are many community events, concerts and fairs held throughout the state, as the entire state is painted in red and yellow colours (the colours of Karnataka flag). People gather in groups to sing the anthem before starting the day’s festivities.

Karnataka Rajyotsava – Knowing its History 

Aluru Venkata Rao, the former leader of Karnataka wanted to form Karnataka state and started and led the Karnataka Ekikarana movement. In 1950, when Indian was declared a Republic country, and many regions were established based on the languages spoken, the Kannada-speaking localities of Madras and Bombay premierships were amalgamated with the Mysore state to form a Kannada-speaking state as Karnataka in November 1956. 

Kannada Rajyotsava Flag – Knowing its Significance 

The first person to conceptualise and create the flag for Karnataka state was Ma Ramamurthy. The son of a renowned author, Ramamurthy, believed that the yellow and red flag he designed in 1965 would serve as a symbol of identity of the state.  

He designed the flag at a time when there were anti-Karnataka protests happening throughout the state, and the immigrants were flying flags of other states. He used the red and yellow colours to honour the bravery of the Kannada-speaking people and harmony in the state.  

With the Karnataka Rajyotsava just around the corner, we list down a few interesting Karnataka facts, which are only a testimony to how incredible this state is.  

•     The Gomateshwara Statue, located at Shravanabelagola is the largest monolith statue in the world. Standing at 58 ft, the statue is carved out of a single block of granite and is visible from almost 30 km away. 
•     The Lalbagh Botanical Gardens in Bangalore has a collection of the oldest rock formations in the world. These rock formations are said to be more than 3000 million years old and have been around before dinosaurs. 
•     Thanks to the presence of the mighty Western Ghats and the various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, Karnataka has the highest population of the Royal Bengal Tigers in India. 
•     The whole of south India is covered by carpets of coffee plantations. But Karnataka is the highest producer and largest exporter of coffee in India. 
•     The Khadi Gramodyog Samyukta Sangha in Hubli, Karnataka is the only unit in India that is authorised to produce and supply the National Flag of India. 
•     The Bijapur district in Karnataka is the only district in India where five rivers flow through the district. The five rivers are Bhima, Ghataprabha, Doni, Malaprabha and Krishna.

Food in Karnataka – The best dishes you must try 

Karnataka is a mecca for all food lovers. Although the food of Karnataka is highly influenced by the neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala, it has still carved a unique identity. From tangy seafood dishes to sweets and sour chutneys, there are plenty of unique and interesting dishes in Karnataka that you must try and would love. Let us look at some of the best traditional dishes from Karnataka.  

Gojju

There are many variations to this traditional, vegetarian dish. It is essentially a side-dish served with rice or Indian breads, and is made from mango, okra, or pineapple. It is easy-to-make and delicious to eat.  

Chigli Chutney

A quintessential Karnataka dish, Chigli Chutney is made from red fire ants. This unique chutney is typically spicy, and is considered a good source of protein. It is also believed that the chutney helps in relieving cold, pneumonia and cough.  

Korri Gassi

If delicious food had a face, it would probably look like this awesome dish from Mangalore. Korri Gassi, literally translates to chicken curry, and it is made from ingredients that you would associate with south Indian cuisine, including coconut milk, tamarind, tomatoes and local spices. It is a treat for every non-veg food lover.  

Mandige

A local specialty from Belgaum, Mandige is a sweet dish that is usually served during festivals and in Brahmin weddings. It is a flaky crepe filled with sugar, ghee, and khoa.  

Allugedde

This simple and delicious dish is the Karnataka version of the famed mashed potatoes. Unlike the regular mashed potatoes, it is made of different spices, and is usually served as a side dish with dosa, roti or rice.  

Neer Dosa

Anything that has ‘Dosa’ in it has to be delicious and this dish is no different. Unlike other dosas, the batter for Neer Dosa has a watery consistency, which makes the dosa soft, and fluffy. Traditionally served for breakfast, you can have this dosa anytime of the day.  

Karnataka is truly a wonderland. The culture in Karnataka is rich, which is reflected by its various festivals and the rituals held during the Karnataka Rajyotsava. If you are travelling to the state, you can get a better insight into the Karnataka culture and cuisine by booking your stay at one of the resorts in Karnataka hosted by Club Mahindra.  

There are many Club Mahindra resorts and affiliate properties all over the state in Mysore, Bengaluru, Hampi, and Coorg. You can stay at any of these resorts and be assured to enjoy the most modern amenities, and world-class services. Besides, the signature experiences available at these resorts would literally spoil you and make your holiday the best one you have ever had.