Mysuru: The first-ever Dasara Kambala in Mysuru is expected to attract between 25 lakh and 30 lakh spectators during the 48-hour event scheduled for October 18 and 19, according to organisers. The traditional coastal Karnataka buffalo race is being introduced as part of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations this year.

The event is being organised at Sathagalli near the VTU Regional Centre and is expected to bring together around 150 to 160 pairs of racing buffaloes from the coastal districts. Organisers are preparing two parallel tracks and facilities for spectators, while food stalls and cultural programmes will showcase the traditions of coastal Karnataka.

The event is being positioned as an opportunity to bring one of Karnataka’s best-known rural sporting traditions to Mysuru and expose it to the large audience that gathers in the city during Dasara.

Two-day Kambala event planned at Sathagalli

The Dasara Kambala will be conducted over two days, October 18 and 19. According to Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, who is leading the initiative, the event is expected to draw visitors from different parts of India as well as from abroad.

Two parallel tracks, each measuring about 145 metres, have been prepared at the venue and named ‘Vijaya’ and ‘Dashami’. Other reports have placed the track length at around 147 metres during the ongoing preparations.

A trial run involving a small number of buffalo pairs is scheduled for October 10. The trial is expected to help organisers check the tracks and other arrangements before the main competition begins.

The two-day schedule will allow participants to compete in different categories while giving spectators an opportunity to watch the traditional races in a setting outside the sport’s coastal heartland.

Around 160 buffalo pairs expected

Organisers expect between 150 and 160 pairs of buffaloes to participate in the Mysuru event.

The participating animals are being brought from coastal Karnataka, where Kambala has a long association with agricultural communities. Buffalo owners and their teams spend considerable time caring for the animals, including attention to feeding, watering, exercise and preparation for races.

The animals are expected to travel to Mysuru ahead of the competition. According to the latest preparations, 160 pairs are scheduled to leave the Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple premises on October 16 and travel towards Mysuru, with a halt planned at Madikeri. They are expected to reach Mysuru the same day, while October 17 has been kept as a rest day before the races begin.

The travel and rest arrangements are intended to give the buffaloes sufficient time to settle before participating in the competition.

Organisers expect huge public response

The organisers have estimated that 25 lakh to 30 lakh people could witness the Kambala during the broader Dasara period.

The figure represents an overall expected footfall rather than the number of people who can be accommodated at the venue at one time. The main gallery will have seating for around 15,000 spectators, while another open area will allow nearly 5,000 people without passes to watch the races.

Free passes are expected to be issued in three batches each day to accommodate more visitors. An earlier announcement said that the open viewing area would be used for people without passes, while gallery seating would be managed through the free-pass system.

The large expected footfall reflects the popularity of Mysuru Dasara, which attracts visitors from Karnataka and other parts of the country during the festival season.

Entry to Kambala venue will be free

The organisers have decided that entry to the Kambala event will be free.

To manage the anticipated crowd, spectators will be accommodated through different viewing arrangements. The 15,000-seat gallery will provide organised seating, while an additional open zone will cater to people without passes.

Running commentary in Kannada and Tulu is also planned, allowing visitors to understand the races and the traditions associated with Kambala.

A separate area near the buffalo enclosures is planned where families and tourists can take photographs with the animals. Such facilities are intended to make the event more accessible to visitors who may not have previously experienced Kambala.

Coastal food and culture to be showcased

The Dasara Kambala will not be restricted to the races.

Food stalls are being planned across around four to five acres of land at the venue. These stalls will showcase traditional coastal Karnataka cuisine and provide visitors with an opportunity to experience food associated with Tulu Nadu.

Dishes such as kori rotti, pundi and neer dosa are expected to feature among the offerings.

Cultural programmes will also be organised alongside the sporting event. The combination of Kambala, coastal cuisine and cultural performances is intended to present a broader picture of coastal Karnataka’s traditions to visitors attending Mysuru Dasara.

The event therefore represents not only a sporting attraction but also a cultural exchange between the coastal region and Mysuru.

Kambala highlights bond between farmers and buffaloes

Organisers have described Kambala as a tradition closely connected with the relationship between farmers and their buffaloes.

Rai said buffalo owners participate not merely for prize money but also for the honour and prestige associated with the sport. Preparing racing buffaloes involves considerable care, with dedicated handlers looking after their diet, watering, massage and overall fitness.

The buffaloes participating in Mysuru will be transported from their home districts, adding logistical requirements for organisers.

Rai has also said that water used for the buffaloes would be brought from their native villages, highlighting the extent of preparation undertaken by participating teams.

Financial arrangements for the event

The Mysuru Dasara Kambala is estimated to cost between Rs 3 crore and Rs 5 crore, according to the organisers. A significant portion of the expenditure will go towards preparing the racing tracks and supporting infrastructure.

The two tracks alone are estimated to require around Rs 50 lakh to Rs 60 lakh for construction.

The Mysuru District Administration will oversee the financial management of the event, while payments to participating buffalo owners are planned through direct bank transfers.

The Government has also provided financial assistance for Kambala events in the State in recent years. The organisers have indicated that the Mysuru event will involve considerable expenditure because of its larger scale and the need to create infrastructure for a major Dasara attraction.

Gold prizes planned for winners

The competition will also have prizes for the successful participants.

According to organisers, winners in the senior category will receive 16 grams of gold, while runners-up will receive 8 grams of gold.

The prize structure is expected to add to the competitive interest surrounding the event, particularly as established Kambala teams from coastal Karnataka are expected to participate.

Buffalo owners also incur substantial costs while transporting and maintaining their animals. Organisers have estimated that an owner may spend close to Rs 2 lakh to bring a pair to the competition.

Event expands Mysuru Dasara’s cultural programme

The introduction of Kambala represents a significant expansion of the Mysuru Dasara programme.

Kambala has traditionally been associated with Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts and is deeply connected with the agricultural and cultural traditions of coastal Karnataka. Bringing the event to Mysuru allows a larger audience to experience the sport without travelling to the coastal region.

The Government has presented the event as part of an effort to showcase the cultural diversity of Karnataka during Dasara.

The inclusion of Kambala has also generated debate, particularly over the use of resources and whether the sport fits within the traditional character of Mysuru Dasara. Activists and heritage voices have raised concerns about water use and other aspects of the event.

The organisers, however, have continued preparations and maintained that the event will showcase coastal pride and tradition.

Trial run scheduled before main competition

With the main races scheduled for October 18 and 19, organisers are using the October 10 trial run to test the arrangements.

The trial will involve a smaller number of buffalo pairs and will provide an opportunity to assess the track, entry and exit arrangements and other logistical requirements.

The trial is particularly important because the Mysuru event is being conducted on a large scale and is expected to attract significant public attention.

Once the trial is completed, organisers will have only a short period to make any necessary changes before the buffaloes arrive from the coastal region.

Preparations gather pace ahead of Dasara

The Kambala preparations are taking place as Mysuru steps up arrangements for the 2026 Dasara celebrations.

The main Dasara festivities are scheduled from October 11 to October 21, with the Jumboo Savari planned for Vijayadashami on October 21.

The Kambala will therefore take place during the final days of the festival and is expected to become one of the major attractions for visitors staying in Mysuru during the Dasara period.

The expected crowd will require careful management of traffic, parking, security, spectator movement and facilities at the Sathagalli venue.

The administration will also have to coordinate the arrival and accommodation of buffaloes, the movement of participating teams and the smooth conduct of races across the two-day programme.

Conclusion

The first Dasara Kambala in Mysuru is expected to attract 25 lakh to 30 lakh spectators during its 48-hour schedule on October 18 and 19. Around 150 to 160 pairs of buffaloes from coastal Karnataka are expected to participate in the event.

With free entry, gallery seating for around 15,000 people, an additional open viewing area for nearly 5,000 spectators, coastal food stalls and cultural programmes, the event is being planned as a major attraction of Mysuru Dasara 2026.

The Kambala will also bring the sporting and cultural traditions of coastal Karnataka to Mysuru on an unprecedented scale. With the trial run scheduled for October 10 and the buffaloes expected to arrive from Puttur on October 16, preparations are now entering their final stage.