Mysuru: Kambala, the traditional buffalo race of coastal Karnataka, will be held as part of Mysuru Dasara celebrations on October 18 and 19, 2026. The event will mark the first time the traditional coastal sport is being included in the prestigious Dasara festivities, with preparations underway for a dedicated slush track in the city. Around 130 pairs of buffaloes have reportedly registered for the competition.
The decision to include Kambala in Mysuru Dasara has attracted both interest and opposition. While supporters see the event as an opportunity to showcase Karnataka’s diverse cultural traditions to a wider audience, some organisations and residents have raised concerns over the environmental impact and the suitability of incorporating the coastal sport into the Mysuru festival.
Kambala scheduled for October 18 and 19
The Karnataka government has given approval for Kambala to be organised during the 2026 Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
The two-day event is scheduled for October 18 and 19, shortly before the grand Vijayadashami celebrations. Mysuru Dasara itself is scheduled from October 11 to 21, with the traditional Jumbo Savari planned for October 21.
The Kambala event is expected to become one of the major attractions of this year’s Dasara programme, particularly for visitors who may not have previously witnessed the traditional buffalo race associated with coastal Karnataka.
Around 130 buffalo pairs registered
Preparations for the event have already gathered pace, with around 130 pairs of buffaloes reportedly registered for the competition.
Kambala traditionally involves pairs of buffaloes racing through a water-filled, muddy track, guided by jockeys. The sport has deep roots in the agricultural traditions of coastal Karnataka, particularly in the regions of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.
With such a large number of participating pairs, organisers will have to make detailed arrangements for the race schedule, participants, animals, handlers and spectators.
The two-day format is expected to allow organisers to accommodate the registered competitors while providing visitors with an opportunity to watch the traditional races.
Slush track being prepared in Sathagalli
The proposed venue for the event is in the Sathagalli area of east Mysuru, near the VTU regional campus and the Sathagalli Ring Road.
A dedicated slush track is being prepared at the site. Reports indicate that the track will be approximately 250 metres long, as required for the traditional racing format. Work has already begun at the venue, including levelling and other preparations needed to create the racing field.
The track will need to replicate the conditions traditionally associated with Kambala, where buffalo pairs race through a slushy field.
Coastal Karnataka tradition comes to Mysuru
Kambala is strongly associated with the cultural and agricultural heritage of coastal Karnataka.
Traditionally, the sport was held in paddy fields after the agricultural season. Over the years, Kambala has developed into a major sporting and cultural attraction, drawing large crowds and participants from across the coastal belt.
Bringing the sport to Mysuru during Dasara is being viewed as an attempt to present a broader picture of Karnataka’s cultural diversity.
Mysuru Dasara is already known for its combination of religious traditions, cultural programmes, processions, music, dance and other events. Including Kambala could provide visitors with a glimpse of a sporting tradition from a different part of the state.
First Kambala as part of Mysuru Dasara
The proposed Kambala is significant because it will be the first such event to be held as part of Mysuru Dasara.
The idea of bringing Kambala to Mysuru was initially proposed earlier, but the plan did not materialise during the 2025 Dasara celebrations because of difficulties in finding a suitable venue.
The proposal was revived for the 2026 festival, eventually receiving government approval.
The decision has now moved the event from the planning stage towards implementation, with construction work beginning at the proposed venue.
Event faced opposition
Despite the government approval, the decision to include Kambala in Mysuru Dasara has not been universally welcomed.
A section of farmers, activists, progressive organisations and NGOs had opposed the proposal, raising questions about the event’s environmental impact and its place within Mysuru’s traditional Dasara celebrations.
Some critics have argued that Mysuru Dasara has its own distinctive cultural identity and that introducing a sport closely associated with coastal Karnataka could dilute the festival’s traditional character.
Others have focused on environmental concerns connected with preparing the venue.
Tree cutting becomes a major concern
Preparations at the proposed venue have also attracted criticism over tree cutting.
Reports said that more than 40 trees were cut at the site as preparations were made for the Kambala event. The issue led to opposition from environmental activists and other groups.
The tree-cutting controversy has added to the debate surrounding the event.
While organisers are focusing on creating the infrastructure needed for the two-day race, environmental groups have questioned whether the development of a temporary sporting venue should involve the removal of trees.
The concerns are expected to remain part of the public discussion as preparations continue.
Supporters see cultural opportunity
Supporters of the event have a different perspective.
They argue that Karnataka has a rich variety of regional traditions and that a state-level festival such as Mysuru Dasara can provide an opportunity to showcase them.
Kambala is already one of the most recognised traditional sporting events from coastal Karnataka. Bringing it to Mysuru could introduce the sport to tourists and residents who may not have travelled to the coastal districts to watch it.
The event could also create a platform for Kambala participants from coastal Karnataka to showcase their skills to a much larger audience.
Mysuru Dasara to feature diverse programmes
The 2026 Mysuru Dasara celebrations are scheduled to run for 10 days, from October 11 to October 21. The festival will include its traditional religious and cultural programmes, culminating in the famous Vijayadashami procession.
The inclusion of Kambala adds another major sporting attraction to the festival calendar.
The event could also attract visitors specifically interested in witnessing the buffalo races, potentially increasing footfall in the area around the venue.
Arrangements required for buffaloes and participants
Organising Kambala in an urban environment will require careful planning.
The organisers will have to make arrangements for the transportation and accommodation of participating buffaloes, their handlers and jockeys.
Animal welfare will also be an important consideration during the event.
The race track, surrounding facilities and spectator areas will need to be managed in a manner that ensures the safety of the animals as well as participants and visitors.
The large number of registered pairs makes advance planning particularly important.
Two-day event expected to draw crowds
With around 130 pairs registered, the Kambala event could attract significant public interest.
The races are likely to provide a different experience from the conventional Dasara cultural programmes.
For visitors from coastal Karnataka, the event could also serve as a connection to their regional sporting traditions while participating in the larger Mysuru festival.
Organisers will have to balance the expected crowds with the need for adequate parking, traffic management, spectator facilities and emergency arrangements.
Why Kambala is important to coastal Karnataka
Kambala has long been connected with the farming communities of the coastal region.
The sport traditionally took place in agricultural fields and was linked to the end of the paddy cultivation cycle.
Although modern Kambala events have evolved into large public competitions, the sport continues to retain its association with rural life and the cultural identity of Tulunadu.
Its inclusion in Mysuru Dasara therefore carries significance beyond the sporting competition itself.
Government approval ends weeks of uncertainty
The decision to hold Kambala comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether the event would actually become part of the Dasara programme.
In July, Karnataka minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah had said the proposal had not yet been finalised.
The state government subsequently approved the event and established a sub-committee headed by the Zilla Panchayat CEO to oversee arrangements.
The approval has allowed preparations to move forward at the proposed Sathagalli venue.
Political and public debate
The proposal has also generated political debate.
BJP Karnataka president B.Y. Vijayendra had earlier opposed the plan to include Kambala in the Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
The criticism reflects a wider discussion about what should be included in the state festival and whether regional traditions should be integrated into the Mysuru Dasara programme.
The government, meanwhile, has proceeded with the event as part of the 2026 celebrations.
A new attraction for Dasara visitors
If successfully conducted, the Kambala event could become a new attraction within Mysuru Dasara.
The festival already draws visitors from across Karnataka and other parts of India. Adding a high-profile traditional sporting event could broaden the range of experiences available to visitors.
For Kambala participants, the event offers an opportunity to compete in a different setting and reach an audience beyond the traditional coastal circuit.
Environmental concerns remain
The controversy surrounding tree cutting means environmental considerations will continue to be important.
Organisers will need to demonstrate that the event can be conducted responsibly and that the venue is managed with appropriate attention to ecological concerns.
The debate also highlights the broader challenge of hosting large public events while balancing cultural promotion with environmental protection.
Preparations continue ahead of October
With the event less than two months away, work at the proposed venue is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
The construction and preparation of the slush track will be among the key tasks.
Organisers will also have to finalise arrangements for participants, buffaloes, spectators, security and traffic management.
The successful completion of these preparations will determine how smoothly the first Dasara Kambala is conducted.
Kambala adds a coastal flavour to Mysuru Dasara
The inclusion of Kambala represents an effort to bring together different regional traditions from across Karnataka.
Mysuru Dasara has historically served as a major platform for showcasing the state’s cultural heritage.
By introducing Kambala, organisers are effectively bringing a prominent coastal sporting tradition to the cultural heartland of Mysuru.
Whether the event becomes a permanent feature of future Dasara celebrations could depend partly on how the 2026 edition is received.
Conclusion
Mysuru: Kambala will be held during Mysuru Dasara on October 18 and 19, 2026, with around 130 buffalo pairs expected to participate. A dedicated slush track is being prepared near the VTU regional campus in Sathagalli, east Mysuru, for the two-day traditional buffalo race.
The event will bring one of coastal Karnataka’s best-known traditional sports to the state’s biggest cultural festival for the first time. While supporters believe it will showcase Karnataka’s diverse heritage, activists and sections of the public have raised concerns over tree cutting and the environmental impact of preparing the venue.
With preparations already underway, all eyes will now be on the Sathagalli venue as Mysuru gets ready to host its first Dasara Kambala.