Mysuru: The much-publicised Kambala trial run, scheduled to begin this morning, had not started even by 1 pm, leaving over 200 curious spectators waiting for more than three hours at the venue on the Outer Ring Road near the VTU Regional Centre in Sathagalli.
Many had arrived early to witness the buffalo race for the first time, only to be disappointed. The two pairs of buffaloes brought for the trial run were initially kept yoked under the hot sun while organisers waited for the arrival of Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai. The animals were later moved to a shaded area.
A small trial run with one pair was held last night to check the ground, the twin tracks and the levelling of sand with water. Sources told Star of Mysore that Ashok Kumar Rai later reprimanded the organisers over the trial run conducted at night without waiting for his arrival.
Today, the organisers were seen waiting for the MLA’s arrival, while the Dasara Kambala Sub-Committee appeared to have little say in the delay.
Organisers await MLA; Kambala trial run delayed
Meanwhile, senior district officials, including DC G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO S. Ukesh Kumar, who is also the Deputy Special Officer for the Dasara Kambala Committee, Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baldandi and Dy.SP Rajendra, visited and inspected the venue this morning.
The MLA finally arrived at 1.30 pm and the trial run began. Officials instructed that 2,000-litre drinking water tanks be installed at five to six locations, with two tanks at each designated spot. Separate water arrangements are being made for restrooms and for the buffaloes. Additional water is also being stored in tanks to meet requirements in the event of power outages or water evaporation from the tracks.
To facilitate travel to the venue, buses will operate round-the-clock at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes between city bus stand and Kambala venue on Oct. 18 and 19.
Sub-Committee members also flagged concerns over vehicles getting stuck in muddy areas and directed that M-sand or other suitable material be used to stabilise the ground. Barricades will be put up near entry/exit points, particularly around selfie spots & stalls, to prevent overcrowding.
This post was published on October 15, 2026 7:30 pm