Mysuru will stage the traditional Kambala buffalo race on October 18 and 19, 2026, as a highlight of the city's Dasara celebrations, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced on September 25.
The event will unfold on a 20‑acre venue where a 147‑metre track is being laid alongside three purpose‑built stages: a main platform for official programmes and two additional stages for VVIP guests. Infrastructure work is in progress, and the site will accommodate roughly 15,000 spectators at a time.
Entry will be free for holders of timed passes, which are issued in three daily slots – morning to afternoon, afternoon to evening, and evening to night – to maximise attendance. An extra area for around 5,000 non‑pass holders will also be opened.
Organisers expect 150 to 160 selected buffalo pairs to compete. A committee, using a registration form prepared by the district administration, will shortlist participants based on past performance and other criteria.
The buffaloes will depart from Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple at 10:30 a.m. on October 16, pause in Madikeri for rest and feed, and reach Mysuru the same night. October 17 is slated as a rest day, followed by an inauguration ceremony on the morning of October 18, likely attended by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Prize money stands at ₹65,000 for senior‑category pairs and ₹50,000 for junior‑category pairs, with senior winners receiving 16 grams of gold for first place and 8 grams for second. Owners have asked for higher remuneration, additional gold awards for third and fourth places, and larger prizes; discussions with the Deputy Commissioner and Dasara committee are pending.
A trial run involving five buffalo pairs is scheduled for October 10 to test the track. Food stalls showcasing Coastal Karnataka cuisine will spread across four to five acres, while a separate five‑acre zone will house the buffaloes for public viewing and photography. Water will be sourced from owners or supplied from the Cauvery river.
State Kambala Association member Aikalabava Deviprasad Shetty confirmed that owners have met and pledged a disciplined, systematic conduct of the event. Organisers anticipate up to 2.5 million visitors to witness Kambala during the Dasara period.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Mangalore Today