₹1.15 crore sanctioned for 23 kambalas in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi districts by Karnataka Tourism Department

A ‘kambalas’ (slush track buffalo race). Dates of kambalas of the 2026-27 season will be finalised during a meeting of stakeholders in Moodbidri on July 19, 2026. | Photo Credit: File photo Tourism Department of Karnataka has sanctioned ₹ 1.15 crore to 23 ‘kambalas’ (slush track buffalo race) held in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts for the 2025-26 season.As per two separate the sanction orders issued by the Department on July 14, each ‘kambala’ organiser will thus get ₹5 lakh.According to the orders, Dakshina Kannada will get ₹95 lakh for 19 kambalas and Udupi district has been sanctioned ₹20 lakh for four kambalas. The funds will be released through the Deputy Commissioners, who head the district tourism development committees.In Udupi district, the funds have been sanctioned to the kambalas of Soorya-Chandra of Baradibeedu, Lava-Kusha of Meeyar, Koti-Chennaya of Adve, and Tenka-Bada of Yermal.The kambalas had been held under the auspices of Karnataka Kambala Association.Kambala in MysuruAccording to Belapu Deviprasad Shetty, president of the association, the stakeholders will meet at Moodbidri in Dakshina Kannada on July 19 to discuss the pros and cons of organising a kambala in Mysuru.Owners of buffaloes, kambala jockeys and helpers, referees and kambala organisers will participate in the meeting, and take a final decision.Mr. Shetty stated that the meeting will also discuss the steps to be taken to improve kambala performances. Participants will also finalise the dates of kambalas of the 2026-27 season. Published - July 17, 2026 03:55 pm IST