Buffaloes in Vijayanagar era Dasara: Kambala opponents accuse CM of distorting history

Environmentalists and various organisations opposing the Kambala event during Mysuru Dasara have accused Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of misrepresenting history by claiming that buffaloes were part of the Vijayanagar empire's Dasara celebrations. During the inauguration of Mysuru Dasara 2026 at Chamundi Hills, Mr. Shivakumar stated that historical accounts indicated that Vijayanagar rulers brought buffaloes for the Dasara festivities.

However, Parisarakkagi Naavu’s general secretary Parashuramegowda refuted the CM's claim, stating that it is "far from the truth." Mr. Parashuramegowda, along with the Joint Action Committee of farmers' organisations, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS), Parisarakke Naavu, and progressive and pro-Kannada organisations, strongly condemned the distortion of history in the presence of religious leaders and elected representatives.

They emphasized that there is no record of buffaloes participating in the Vijayanagar era's Dasara celebrations. Portuguese traveller Domingo Paes, who visited the empire in 1520–22, mentioned in his book that 25 buffaloes and 125 sheep were sacrificed during the Mahanavami festival, which supports the claim that buffaloes were indeed part of the celebration.

However, carvings on the Mahanavami Dibba in Hampi depict elephants and horses, not buffaloes. The committee argues that distorting history to justify Kambala's organization, despite public opposition, is inappropriate for the Chief Minister's office. They also noted that Kambala, a traditional buffalo race originating in Tulu Nadu 600–700 years ago, is organized for recreational purposes and to express gratitude to deities during the harvest season.

The committee claims that organizing Kambala as part of Mysuru Dasara during a severe drought demonstrates the Chief Minister's disregard for public sentiment and environmental concerns.