Clearing the uncertainty over the proposed Kambala during the coming Dasara festival, Minister in-charge of Mysuru district Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Wednesday confirmed that the traditional buffalo race will be organised as part of the festivities in October.

When the proposal to hold Kambala, the traditional slush-track buffalo race of Karnataka’s coastal districts, during Dasara was mooted a couple of weeks ago, several organisations, including environmentalists, opposed the event in Mysuru. Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar had also objected to the proposal.

The authorities had maintained that a final decision on the event was yet to be taken. However, the government has now confirmed that Kambala will be held during the coming Dasara.

“Kambala will surely be held this year. The Chief Minister has issued directions to hold Kambala. So, Kambala will be held,” Dr. Yathindra told reporters after flagging off the Gajapayana, the ceremonial march of the Dasara elephants, from their forest abode at Veeranahosahalli in Hunsur on Wednesday.

The authorities have tentatively proposed October 18 and 19 for the event, which will be held on a plot of land at Sathgalli near the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Regional Centre in the city.

Meanwhile, Puttur MLA Ashok Rai, who heads the Kambala Organising Committee, inspected the site identified for the event on Wednesday. During the inspection, Mr. Rai also symbolically laid a couple of bricks as part of the preparations.

Around 100 to 150 pairs of buffaloes are expected to participate in the Kambala. A spectators’ gallery will be erected at the venue, along with parking facilities.