The coastal folk sport of Kambala will make its debut at Mysuru Dasara on October 18 and 19, organisers announced, aiming to make it a key attraction of the festival.
Urban Development and Mysuru district in‑charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah confirmed the dates while reviewing arrangements. He said Kambala had been added to give the festival a new dimension and to showcase the traditional sport of the coastal region to visitors from India and abroad. Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai has been entrusted with organising the event, and the district administration will provide all necessary support. The event is being run without a commercial motive and with the goal of preserving and promoting the sport.
Rai explained that a 145‑metre track is being prepared and that 150 to 160 pairs of senior‑category buffaloes, known for strong performances, are expected to compete. Large publicity hoardings will be installed along the Bengaluru‑Mysuru Highway. Owners will spend about ₹2 lakh each to bring their buffaloes to Mysuru. Gold prizes of 16 grams and 8 grams will be awarded. Admission will be free, with a gallery seating around 8,000 people and a special counter and pass facility for foreign tourists. Food stalls offering coastal dishes such as pundi and neer dosa, along with cultural programmes, will also be available.
The Kambala event will be formally inaugurated at 6.30 p.m. on October 18 and will continue until the evening of October 19. State Kambala Committee president Deviprasad Shetty, Dakshina Kannada District Kambala Committee president Chandrahas Sanil, and other committee officers were present at the announcement.
