Sub-Committee calls tenders for food courts, looks for corporate sponsors
Mangaluru / Mysuru: Even as the Karnataka Kambala Association has clarified that neither the District Kambala Committee nor the State Body has received any official written invitation or proposal to organise Kambala in Mysuru during Dasara, preparations for the event are already in full swing.
More than 40 percent of the track-laying work for the Kambala ‘kare’ (buffalo race track) at the proposed venue in Sathagalli, adjacent to the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Regional Centre along the Outer Ring Road in Mysuru, has been completed.
A portion of the 17 acres and 35 guntas of Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) land spread across Survey Nos. 85, 88, 106 and 107 at Sathagalli is being used for the twin tracks, spectator gallery, food courts, sanitation and parking facilities.
No official communication yet
Karnataka Kambala Association President Dr. Deviprasad Shetty Belapu said, the Association would convene a special meeting to discuss the event only after receiving an official communication from the Govt.
Speaking after a joint consultation meeting of the State Kambala Association and the District Kambala Committee in Moodbidri yesterday, Dr. Shetty said discussions so far had been informal.
“Once an official letter arrives, we will call a separate meeting to deliberate on how many pairs of buffaloes should be sent from the coast, what kind of transport arrangements are required and other logistical issues,” he said.
Tenders for food courts
Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, Mysuru Zilla Panchayat CEO S. Ukesh Kumar, who is also Chairman of the Dasara Kambala Sub-Committee, said there would be clarity on the final arrangements for Kambala within 2-3 days.
“We are planning to cap participation at a maximum of 150 pairs of buffaloes. The competition will feature separate categories for seniors and juniors. Tenders are being called for food courts and venue sanitation and cleaning services. Registration forms and official invitations will be finalised soon,” he said.
“As Government authorities, we are bound to implement official Government decisions transparently and in accordance with the law while consulting relevant stakeholders,” he added.
Corporate sponsorship
Final approval for Government funding is still pending. However, strict auditing will be carried out for every rupee spent, while tenders will be used to control costs. “Major corporate sponsorship outreach is ongoing. Entities showing interest include State Bank of India (SBI), other financial institutions and several jewellery companies,” he said.
The Karnataka Kambala Association has highlighted the cultural significance of bringing Kambala to Mysuru, noting that the traditional buffalo race, deeply rooted in the agrarian traditions of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, would add a unique dimension to the Dasara celebrations. Enthusiasm among buffalo owners and trainers has also been high, with many already conditioning their animals for the races.
The Association said that the event would be conducted in accordance with traditional practices while maintaining modern standards of safety and organisation. With more than 100 pairs of buffaloes already confirmed, organisers expect the Mysuru Dasara Kambala to draw large crowds and showcase Karnataka’s rural heritage.
This post was published on September 9, 2026 7:30 pm