Mysuru Kambala: 150–160 buffalo pairs to participate in Dasara event
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Sep 25, 2026: Coastal Karnataka’s traditional buffalo race, Kambala, will be held in Mysuru on October 18 and 19 as part of the Dasara festivities, with preparations underway on a 20-acre site, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai said.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had expressed interest in organising Kambala as part of the Dasara celebrations and directed officials to make arrangements. Work is currently underway on a 147-metre-long Kambala kare (track) and other infrastructure at the venue.
Around 15,000 spectators will be accommodated at a time. Three stages are being constructed, including a main stage for official programmes and two stages for VVIP arrangements. Entry will be free with passes, while a separate area with a capacity of around 5,000 people will be available for spectators without passes.
Timed passes will be issued in three slots each day — morning to afternoon, afternoon to evening, and evening to night — to allow more people to witness the event.
Around 150 to 160 selected buffalo pairs are expected to participate. A committee will shortlist the participants based on previous performance and other criteria, using a registration form prepared by the district administration, Rai said.
The buffaloes will leave Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple on October 16 at 10.30 am. They will halt at Madikeri for rest, food and other arrangements before proceeding to Mysuru, where they are expected to arrive the same night. October 17 will be kept as a rest day.
Kambala will begin on the morning of October 18 with an inauguration ceremony, which is expected to be attended by the Chief Minister. Events will continue through the day and evening, with the prize distribution scheduled for October 19.
The government has fixed remuneration of ₹65,000 for a senior-category buffalo pair and ₹50,000 for a junior-category pair. Buffalo owners and Kambala committee leaders have sought an increase in remuneration, along with additional prizes and higher gold awards. Their demands will be discussed with the Deputy Commissioner and Dasara committee before a decision is taken.
Currently, senior-category winners receive 16 grams of gold for the first prize and 8 grams for the second prize. Owners have sought gold awards for the third and fourth positions as well. Similar demands have been made in the junior category.
A trial run will be held on the Mysuru track on October 10, with around five buffalo pairs participating to test the track, Rai said.
The MLA also said there are plans to showcase Coastal Karnataka cuisine through food stalls spread across four to five acres. Another five-acre area will be designated for housing the buffaloes, allowing visitors to see the animals and take photographs.
Regarding water arrangements, Rai said some owners had offered to bring water from their respective places. Alternatively, Cauvery river water will be supplied to the venue.
Rai said the organisers expect a large turnout, with estimates of up to 25 lakh people visiting Mysuru to witness Kambala during the Dasara celebrations.
State Kambala Association member Aikalabava Deviprasad Shetty said a meeting of Kambala buffalo owners had already been held. He said the event would be organised in a systematic and disciplined manner in Mysuru.