Mangaluru: Preparations are underway for the Kambala event to be held in Mysuru during Dasara on Oct 18 and 19. Buffaloes participating in the traditional coastal Karnataka sport will leave from Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple premises at 10.30am on Oct 16 and halt at Madikeri before reaching Mysuru the same night.Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai said Oct 17 has been reserved as a rest day for the animals, with competitions beginning on Oct 18. The prize distribution ceremony will be held on Oct 19.A 147-metre Kambala track is being readied at the venue, and a trial run involving around five pairs of buffaloes is scheduled for Oct 10. Seating arrangements are being made for 15,000 spectators. Free passes will be issued in three time slots to enable more people to watch the event. An additional 5,000 spectators will be accommodated without passes.Rai said around 25 lakh people are expected to witness the event during Mysuru Dasara.The state govt will provide Rs 65,000 for each senior-category buffalo pair and Rs 50,000 for each junior-category pair. A proposal to increase the remuneration will be discussed with Mysuru district authorities and the Dasara committee, he said.In the senior category, winners will receive 16g of gold, while runners-up will get 8g. Buffalo owners have also requested gold medals for third and fourth place finishers.The event will also feature Coastal Karnataka cuisine, with food stalls spread across nearly five acres.Karnataka State Kambala Association president Aikalabava Deviprasad Shetty and others were present.
