Traditional Coastal Sport Makes First Appearance at Mysuru Dasara

Coastal Karnataka's traditional buffalo racing sport made its first appearance at the Mysuru Dasara celebrations on Sunday. The two-day event takes place at Sathagalli on grounds near the Visvesvaraya Technological University College and runs until Monday evening.

Event Organization

The Dasara Kambala Sub-Committee organized the gathering, which features one hundred fifty pairs of buffaloes. Urban Development Minister and Mysuru district in-charge Yathindra Siddaramaiah started the races by flagging off the event. He noted that the region wanted to expand the sport beyond its coastal roots so people nationwide and abroad could watch it.

Costs and Care

Organizers put detailed plans in place, including veterinary services and healthy food for the animals. Transporting a single pair of buffaloes to Mysuru costs roughly five lakh rupees. Organizers also set up security measures, ensured public facilities, and kept the grounds free of plastic. Puttur MLA Ashok Rai praised the event's organizers and thanked Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for backing the project. He pointed out that the sport draws between thirty lakh and forty lakh fans across the State. Addressing critics who raised concerns about drought, he explained that farming communities keep the sport alive rather than chase commercial profits or large cash rewards. Owners spend heavily on travel and treat the animals like their own children despite the modest prize money. Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Deve Gowda greeted visitors from the coastal districts and asked locals to support the traditional Tulu Nadu event. Other attendees included MLC K. Shivakumar, Zoo Authority of Karnataka chairman K. Ranganathswamy, State Kambala Association president Devi Prasad Shetty, Chandrahass Sadhu Sunil, Dr. Rakshith Raj, and Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy.

Context

Mysuru Dasara is a major annual festival in Karnataka with a long history of celebrating local culture and traditions alongside royal heritage. Bringing regional sports like Kambala into the statewide festival helps bridge cultural practices from different parts of Karnataka. Animal welfare and drought conditions often spark debates around traditional sports involving livestock in rural India.