Karnataka Rajyotsava 2026: 70 Years Since the State Was Formed on November 1, 1956; History and Celebrations

Pune, 1st November 2026: Kannadigas across India and abroad are celebrating Karnataka Rajyotsava, the state’s formation day, on Sunday. This year marks 70 years since the state was created on 1 November 1956. Pune, home to a large Kannada-speaking community with roots in neighbouring districts like Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Vijayapura, also sees community celebrations.

How Karnataka was formed

On 1 November 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act that redrew India’s states on linguistic lines, Mysore state was merged with Kannada-speaking areas of the Bombay and Madras presidencies and the Hyderabad state. The enlarged state kept the name Mysore.

On 1 November 1973, it was renamed Karnataka, when D. Devaraj Urs was chief minister.

How it is celebrated

• The red and yellow Kannada flag is hoisted at government offices, businesses and neighbourhoods, and the state anthem is sung.
• The state government announces the Rajyotsava Awards for contributions to arts, literature, sport and public service.
• Processions carry tableaux of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, with folk performances such as Dollu Kunitha.
• IT companies and schools in Bengaluru hold events, and Kannada groups overseas organise their own celebrations.

Karnataka Rajyotsava is a public holiday in Karnataka, so banks and government offices there are closed; in Pune and the rest of Maharashtra it is a normal working day. Official announcements, including the Rajyotsava awards, are posted on the Karnataka government portal.

Also on November 1: Kerala Piravi

1 November is also Kerala Piravi, marking the formation of Kerala in 1956. Pune’s Malayali associations typically hold cultural programmes around the date.

Pune and Karnataka

The two states share a long border and strong links. Thousands of students and workers from north Karnataka live in Pune, and buses run daily between Swargate and cities like Belagavi, Hubballi and Vijayapura. With Diwali next week, MSRTC is adding extra services; see our story on Pune ST’s Diwali buses. More national news is in our India section.

Frequently asked questions