Activists urge CM Shivakumar to cancel Kambala in Mysuru Dasara, warn of massive protest

Mangalore Today News Network

Mysuru, Jul 10, 2026: Opposition to hosting a Kambala event during this year’s Mysuru Dasara is intensifying, with several activists and organisations urging the Karnataka government to cancel the event, citing concerns over drought, environmental impact and the preservation of Mysuru’s cultural identity.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, leaders including Badagalapura Nagendra of Raitha Sangha, Parashuramegowda of Parisarakkaagi Naavu, heritage expert and retired professor N.S. Rangaraju, environmentalist Bhanu Mohan, Ma Gu Sadananda, and Bettaiah Kote warned of a large-scale protest if the government fails to withdraw the proposal within a week.

Parashuramegowda said hosting Kambala in Mysuru would dilute the original identity, nature and spirit of the historic Mysuru Dasara celebrations. He argued that recent additions such as Yuva Dasara have already led to overcrowding, traffic congestion and pollution in the city, and that bringing Kambala to Mysuru would further increase the influx of visitors.

He also noted that Kambala is a traditional harvest festival deeply rooted in the culture of coastal Karnataka and should remain unique to the region. According to him, the event is unsuitable for Mysuru’s urban landscape.

The activists further argued that, amid deficient rainfall, the government should focus on conserving water and electricity rather than organising a large-scale event that would require significant resources. They urged the government to address long-pending issues related to Dasara celebrations, including better support and remuneration for local and folk artists and improved transport arrangements.

Environmentalist Ravi Bale has also launched an online campaign and petition addressed to Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, demanding that the Kambala event be scrapped.

Activists said the government should instead prioritise several pending demands of Mysuru residents, including securing land and a dedicated building for the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada and establishing an International Cultural Convention Centre to promote the state’s diverse art forms.

The Kambala event is scheduled to be held on October 18 and 19 over 48 hours at an estimated cost of ₹6 crore. Preparations are reportedly underway on a 27.3-acre MUDA site at Sathagalli near the Ring Road in Mysuru.

Around 200 pairs of buffaloes from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are expected to participate, with each pair accompanied by around 50 people. Organisers estimate that nearly 10 lakh spectators will attend the two-day event. The activists have also raised concerns over the proposed use of nearly five lakh litres of water per day and plans to drill two borewells to facilitate the event.