Karnataka Rajyotsava Day (November 1st)

The Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru Hosts Cultural Events on this Day

Kannada Rajyotsava or Karnataka Formation Day is celebrated on November 1st every year. The entire state wears a festive look on this day as the unofficial red and yellow Karnataka flags are hoisted across the state in multiple places. This day is celebrated with fanfare by Kannadigas residing all over the world.

Karnataka is the proud owner of introducing foods such as Bisi Bela Bath, Masala Dosa and Rava idli to the world and its cuisine is one of the oldest ones in the country. Ragi Mudde, a simple meal eaten in the homes of farmers in Karnataka, occupies a prime place in fine-dining restaurants across the state.

Let’s look at some of the famous dishes across Karnataka:

• Ragi Mudde/Ragi Balls (Finger Millet)
  Ragi mudde is one of the oldest staple dishes of south Karnataka, especially in cities such as Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mandya. Rich in calcium and protein, it is a nutritious and inexpensive dish. Cooking ragi balls requires minimum time and can be had for breakfast, lunch or dinner along with coconut curries or Massoppu Saaru.
• Massoppu Saaru/ Green Lentils Curry or Soup
  This again is a south Karnataka delicacy famous across Bengaluru, Mandya and Mysore. As its name suggests, Massoppu (mashed greens) brings to you the goodness of greens and lentils where cooked greens are mashed to make the dish. Use your favorite greens such as spinach, amaranth, methi, curry leaves, etc to prepare the dish.
• Akki Roti/Rice Flour Roti
  Akki means rice in Kannada and hence the name akki roti. This is a daily food made with rice flour and served with any chutney of your choice for breakfast/lunch. It takes hardly 15 minutes to make it and there are different recipes for the same delicacy. You can make it healthier by using carrots, onions, tomatoes and coriander leaves to make the roti.
• Moonga Udhak/ Green gram milk (Vegan plant-based milk)
  November 1st being World Vegan Day too, this dish is apt for an early morning beverage and has been in fashion for the last few centuries in Karnataka. Prepared from roasted moong dal and jaggery, this drink is the perfect way to start your day. Udhak means water in Konkani, a language spoken in coastal Karnataka. Thousands of people are turning vegans for health as well as environmental benefits. Read more on veganism and World Vegan Day at www.firsteatright.com. 
• Bele holige/Obbattu/Pooran poli
  This is a sweet dish which is cooked during every festival of Karnataka. Bele means dal in Kannada and this sweet can be prepared using chana or toor dal, rice flour, wheat flour, maida or fine rava according to the individual’s choice. Even coconut can be used to make holige instead of dal.          
  
  

While these are the most famous dishes of Karnataka, there are ample others available. Celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava Day with good food, lots of fun and good health.