Mangaluru: Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, who is spearheading the kambala event planned as part of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, said the opposition to the event is driven solely by those seeking political mileage.The MLA questioned the opposition to holding kambala during the Mysuru Dasara, urging critics to leave politics out of the traditional sport. “The people of Mysuru are wonderful and welcoming. They are not the ones opposing this. The resistance stems purely from those seeking political mileage. Many residents, including those from the BJP, have actually expressed strong support for the event. Further, if kambala is conducted, it will add a special grandeur to the Mysuru Dasara,” he said. Many, who lack sufficient knowledge about kambala, the buffaloes and the ‘kare’ (track) developed for the race, have been criticising the event, he said.“Kambala is an ancient cultural sporting event. Dasara also has its own cultural significance and the festival also has evolved into more vibrant in recent years with the addition of Yuva Dasara, laser shows, air shows and orchestras,” he noted. A kambala event organised in Bengaluru attracted nearly 25 lakh people, he said.“It is an attempt to showcase kambala to lakhs of people, including tourists from foreign countries, during Mysuru Dasara. There is absolutely no intention to undermine the traditions of Mysuru Dasara. The state govt holds the Mysuru Dasara in accordance with the palace’s traditions. Holding kambala will not be a huge additional burden for the govt. Chief minister DK Shivakumar has his own dreams to make Mysuru Dasara more vibrant during his tenure,” Rai said.Kare MuhurthaThe preliminary ground cleaning work on kare development has already begun, the MLA said, adding that a Kare Muhurtha ritual will be held soon after receiving prasada from Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala and Sri Chamundeshwari of Mysuru. The kare development work will begin after July 20. A trial run of buffaloes will also be organised to introduce visitors who arrive to see the preparations. All arrangements, including an elaborate parking facility in about 15 acres, stalls and stages, will be arranged to ensure that people are not inconvenienced, the MLA said.
