Mysuru Dasara 2026: Kambala buffalo race comes to the festival for the first time
Representative image: avalok / Pixabay
Kambala, coastal Karnataka's buffalo race, joins Mysuru Dasara for the first time on 18-19 October 2026; trial runs began this week amid activist protests.
What Happened
Mysuru Dasara will host Kambala, the buffalo race of coastal Karnataka, for the first time in the festival's history on 18 and 19 October 2026, and preparations reached the trial stage this week. The first pairs of racing buffaloes arrived at the purpose-built venue at Sathagalli, beside the VTU Regional Centre on Mysuru's Outer Ring Road, late on 13 October after a journey of about 261 km from Dakshina Kannada, and trial runs on the new twin tracks were scheduled from 15 October after a traditional Kudi Puja. A convoy carrying about 150 pairs of buffaloes is to leave Puttur on 17 October. The event has also drawn protests from activists who object to its cost, to tree cutting and to the treatment of animals during a drought year.
Key Facts
- Kambala will be held at Mysuru Dasara for the first time, over 48 hours on 18 and 19 October 2026.
- The venue is at Sathagalli, next to the VTU Regional Centre on Mysuru's Outer Ring Road.
- The two parallel tracks have been named 'Vijaya' and 'Dashami', and races will be held in six categories.
- About 150 pairs of buffaloes from the coastal districts are due to compete; the convoy leaves Puttur on 17 October.
- Trial runs were set to begin on 15 October after a traditional Kudi Puja, to check the tracks for uneven patches; local reports said the morning trial that day was delayed.
- Digital tags and sensors are to be used to identify the animals and judge which pair crosses the finish line first.
- Activists have announced protests, citing drought, expenditure, tree cutting and animal welfare.
Why It Matters
Kambala is one of the oldest rural sports of Tulu Nadu, the coastal belt of Karnataka around Mangaluru and Udupi. Pairs of buffaloes, driven by a runner, race through slushy, water-filled paddy tracks, and the event is tied to the farming calendar and to local temples. It has traditionally been held in the coastal districts. Bringing it to Mysuru, the centre of the state's best-known festival, is a deliberate attempt to present it to a much wider audience, including tourists who come for Dasara.
The move is also a statement of cultural confidence: a place in the Dasara programme presents the sport as part of Karnataka's shared heritage rather than only a regional custom. The use of sensors and digital tags is meant to make results more transparent and to show that the sport can run under modern rules.
Not everyone agrees. Environmental groups object to the tree cutting and spending involved in building the tracks in a drought year, and animal welfare activists have questioned the treatment of the buffaloes on a long road journey. A heritage expert quoted in local reports also argued that, since Mysuru Dasara celebrates the goddess Chamundeshwari's victory over the buffalo demon Mahisha, a buffalo event is not a natural fit. These debates show how a traditional practice changes meaning when it moves to a new stage.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | 18 and 19 October 2026 |
| Venue | Sathagalli, Outer Ring Road, Mysuru |
| Tracks | Two, named Vijaya and Dashami |
| Competitors | About 150 buffalo pairs |
| Categories | Six |
Impact
Short-term: Mysuru will see large crowds at the new venue on 18 and 19 October, with entry reported to be open to the public without passes. Police and organisers will have to manage traffic on the Outer Ring Road, and planned protests could add to the pressure.
Long-term: If the event runs smoothly, Kambala could become a regular part of Mysuru Dasara and give coastal buffalo owners and runners a new, larger stage. If it draws heavy criticism, the debate over cost, environment and animal welfare is likely to shape whether it returns.
Who is affected: Kambala buffalo owners and runners from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi; Dasara visitors and Mysuru residents; the district administration and organisers; and environmental and animal welfare groups.
Key Takeaway
Kambala makes its Mysuru Dasara debut on 18 and 19 October 2026, a first for the festival that brings coastal Karnataka's buffalo race to its biggest stage while drawing protests over cost and animal welfare.
Questions and Answers
Is Kambala being held at Mysuru Dasara 2026?
Yes. For the first time, Kambala will be held as part of Mysuru Dasara on 18 and 19 October 2026 at Sathagalli, beside the VTU Regional Centre on Mysuru's Outer Ring Road.
What is Kambala?
Kambala is a traditional buffalo race from the coastal Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka, in which pairs of buffaloes guided by a runner race along slushy, water-filled tracks. It has long been linked to the farming season and local temples.
How many buffaloes will take part?
About 150 pairs are expected to compete in six categories on two tracks named Vijaya and Dashami. The convoy carrying them leaves Puttur on 17 October.
Why are some people opposing the Mysuru Kambala?
Activists have cited drought conditions, the expenditure, tree cutting for the venue and concerns about the treatment of the animals, and they have announced protests.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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