Stalls to offer coastal delicacies; host of cultural programmes planned

Mysuru: For the first time in the history of Mysuru Dasara, the coastal folk sport Kambala will be held for 48 hours on Oct. 18 and 19, with an estimated 25 to 30 lakh people expected to witness the event.
Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai said a trial run with five to six pairs of buffaloes would be held on Oct. 10, ahead of the main competition.
Speaking to reporters yesterday at the Kambala venue in Sathagalli near the VTU Regional Centre, where preparations are underway, Rai said two parallel tracks, each 145 metres long, had been prepared. They have been named ‘Vijaya’ and ‘Dashami’.
He said the event would attract participants and visitors from across the country and abroad. Rai said Kambala represented the bond between farmers and their buffaloes, with owners taking part for the honour associated with the sport rather than the prize money.
Raising racing buffaloes requires considerable care, with dedicated caretakers looking after their feeding, massage and watering. Water is also brought from the buffaloes’ native villages.
Responding to concerns raised by members of the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family, Rai said Pramoda Devi Wadiyar had permitted Kambala to be held at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru and that discussions had already been held with MP Yaduveer Wadiyar. He said he would meet Pramoda Devi personally if she granted him an appointment.
More than 23 Kambala events are traditionally held every year in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts without Government subsidy.
Since last year, however, the State Government has been providing Rs. 5 lakh for each event. The Mysuru Kambala is estimated to cost Rs. 3 crore to Rs. 5 crore, of which Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 60 lakh will be spent on constructing the tracks.
The Mysuru District Administration will handle the financial management, with payments to buffalo owners being made directly through RTGS.
State Kambala Committee President Deviprasad Shetty, Dakshina Kannada Committee President Chandrahas Sunil, Muraleedhar Rai Matanthabettu and others were present at the press meet.
Minister’s site visit
Meanwhile, Mysuru District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah inspected the Dasara Kambala venue and held discussions with committee members and buffalo owners.
Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda said the local administration would make arrangements for all necessary infrastructure, including shamianas and other facilities. With experienced organisers overseeing the event, he expressed confidence that it would be conducted successfully.
Ashok Kumar Rai said 150 to 160 pairs of buffaloes were expected to participate. He said Kambala was not a commercial event but a symbol of coastal pride and tradition.
Buffalo owners spend nearly Rs. 2 lakh to bring a pair to the event, he said. Winners will receive gold prizes of 16 grams and 8 grams. Entry for the public will be free, with gallery seating for 8,000 spectators and special counters for foreign tourists.
Besides the races, stalls will offer coastal delicacies such as kori rotti, pundi and neer dosa, while cultural programmes will also be held.
Though the races will begin on the morning of Oct. 18, the formal inauguration will be held at 6.30 pm. The event will continue until Oct. 19 and conclude with the prize distribution.