Coastal Talk News | Mysuru
“Kambala is a sport rooted in hard work and a cultural festival of the people of Coastal Karnataka. Born out of agricultural soil, it shows the region’s farming traditions. Its devotion, agricultural roots and cultural legacy make Kambala unique,” Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Sunday. He was speaking after inaugurating the Kambala event organised as part of Mysuru Dasara.
“This is a festival of Karnataka. We have brought Kambala from the coastal region to celebrate the festival of Goddess Chamundeshwari. Kambala is believed to have begun around 800 years ago as a prayer to Lord Manjunatha of Kadri in Mangaluru for the well-being of farmers. Tamil Nadu has Jallikattu, and after a nationwide debate, legislation was brought in to protect the traditional sport” he said.
“Kambala mirrors the tradition of paddy fields, rain, soil, buffaloes and the lives of farmers. We have taken this initiative to honour agricultural workers and promote our traditional sports and arts. There was criticism, but criticism fades while work remains to be recognised in the long run. Criticism is not wrong, but as Chief Minister, I want Dasara to showcase the culture and traditions of every part of Karnataka,” he added.
Awards for the Best 100 Dasara Reels
DK Shivakumar said lakhs of people from different parts of Karnataka had watched the Kambala event. He urged people to create reels on Mysuru Dasara and tag the official Dasara page, mysoredasara.2026. The best 100 reels will be selected for awards. Participants can create reels on any Dasara event, including illumination, the Jamboo Savari procession, sports and other programmes. People from any part of the State can participate in the reel competition, he said.
