Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru

Mysuru, June 21: The world-famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations are set to feature Kambala for the first time this year as a special cultural attraction, officials have announced.

The traditional buffalo race will be organised as a prelude to Dasara, to be held around three months before the main festival. Mysuru deputy commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, who chaired a preparatory meeting on the proposal, directed officials to identify a suitable venue of not less than seven acres.

He instructed that land be shortlisted at Vijayanagar First Stage, Fourth Stage, or near Sathagalli along the Mysuru Ring Road, ensuring adequate space for buffalo enclosures, spectator galleries, and parking facilities for vehicles, in view of the expected large turnout.

Officials said the inclusion of Kambala in the Dasara calendar is intended to showcase Karnataka’s traditional sport on a larger cultural platform ahead of the festivities.

Mysuru Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar has been appointed as the nodal officer responsible for coordinating arrangements for the event.

The meeting was attended by ZP CEO Yukesh Kumar, superintendent of police Mallikarjuna Baladandi, Karnataka State Kambala Association general secretary Vijay Kumar, Bengaluru Kambala Working President Muralidhar Rai, and Jayasurya Rai, among others.