Udaipur: The City of Lakes is observing the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri today, October 2, 2026, with widespread commemorative events, social welfare initiatives, and citizen-led cleanliness drives. Across Udaipur district and Rajasthan, authorities have enforced a strict 24-hour “Dry Day” alongside the commencement of the annual 50% special government rebate on Khadi textiles and village industry products. In parallel, the Udaipur Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam), alongside civic volunteers and students, has mobilized expansive “Swachhata Hi Seva” sanitation campaigns along the banks of Lake Pichola, Gangaur Ghat, and Fateh Sagar Lake.
Key Highlights of Gandhi Jayanti 2026 in Udaipur & Rajasthan
| Event / Directive | Details & Timings in Udaipur |
|---|---|
| Occasion | 157th Gandhi Jayanti & Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti (National Holiday) |
| Special Khadi Rebate | 50% Flat Discount on certified Khadi fabrics, kurtas & handicrafts |
| Major Khadi Outlets | Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar (Chetak Circle) & Ashwini Bazaar Outlets |
| Dry Day Regulation | Strict 24-Hour ban on retail liquor vends, hotel bars, and clubs across Rajasthan |
| Lake Cleanliness Campaign | “Swachhata Hi Seva” mega drive at Pichola, Gangaur Ghat, Ambrai & Fateh Sagar |
| Public Services Status | Banks, Courts, Collectorate, MLSU, and all government offices closed |
50% Special Khadi Rebate: Shoppers Flock to Chetak Circle & Ashwini Bazaar
Under the directive of the Rajasthan Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB), a 50% special rebate on all certified Khadi products has officially come into effect from today, October 2. The discount aims to promote local handloom artisans, sustainable fashion, and village enterprise.
In Udaipur, residents and visiting tourists have begun queuing at authorized sales depots:
- Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar, Chetak Circle: The central outlet is showcasing a wide assortment of pure cotton Khadi kurtas, shirts, Nehru jackets (Bandi), hand-woven bedsheets, towels, and village-made organic soaps and honey.
- Ashwini Bazaar & Bapu Bazaar Outlets: Traditional woollen shawls, Merino jackets, and raw silk sarees are available at subsidized rates to gear up for the upcoming winter season.
- Rebate Window: The special 50% rebate remains accessible throughout the festive season until mid-January 2027, backed by combined state and central artisan development grants.
Strict 24-Hour Statewide Dry Day Enforced Across Udaipur
In accordance with the Rajasthan Excise Act and national dry day guidelines, the Excise Department has ordered the complete closure of all liquor vends across Udaipur district:
- What Is Closed: All Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), country liquor shops, microbreweries, and bar lounges operating in hotels, heritage resorts, and clubs are shut from midnight of October 1 until midnight of October 2.
- Enforcement Squads: Flying squads from the Udaipur Excise Circle and local police stations have been deployed across key arterial routes, Sukher, Goverdhan Vilas, and the highway corridors to penalize unauthorized sale or consumption.
“Swachhata Hi Seva” Drives Along Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar
Commemorating Bapu’s timeless maxim that “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” the Udaipur Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam) organized early-morning cleanliness and de-weeding drives around the city’s iconic freshwater lakes:
- Gangaur Ghat & Ambrai Ghat: Sanitation workers, civil defense volunteers, and youth groups cleaned floating debris, plastic waste, and floral remnants to safeguard aquatic ecosystems.
- Fateh Sagar Paal: Morning walkers, university students, and rotary club members took a collective pledge (Swachhata Shapath) for single-use plastic reduction and waste segregation at source.
- Ayad River Rejuvenation: Heavy machinery and sanitary staff continued desilting and clearing weed patches along designated stretches of the Ayad river basin.
Floral Tributes at Chetak Circle & Town Hall
Earlier in the morning, administrative dignitaries, freedom fighter descendants, and public representatives gathered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Chetak Circle and Town Hall to offer floral wreaths. An all-faith prayer assembly (Sarva Dharma Prarthana Sabha) was held, featuring renditions of Gandhi’s cherished bhajans, including “Vaishnava Jan To” and “Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are liquor shops closed in Udaipur today on Gandhi Jayanti?
Yes. October 2 is observed as a mandatory statewide Dry Day across Rajasthan. All retail liquor vends, hotel bars, pubs, and clubs in Udaipur remain completely closed for 24 hours.
2. What is the Khadi discount available in Udaipur for Gandhi Jayanti 2026?
The Rajasthan government has announced a 50% special rebate on certified Khadi textiles, garments, and village industry products at authorized stores like the Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar at Chetak Circle and Ashwini Bazaar.
3. Are banks and government offices open in Udaipur on October 2?
No. Gandhi Jayanti is a gazetted national holiday. All commercial banks, courts, Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU), schools, and government offices in Udaipur are closed.
4. Where did the Swachhata Hi Seva cleanliness drives take place in Udaipur?
Major cleanliness drives were conducted around Lake Pichola (Gangaur Ghat, Ambrai Ghat), the Fateh Sagar Lake promenade, and designated stretches of the Ayad River corridor by the Udaipur Nagar Nigam and civic volunteer groups.