Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. 150 pairs of buffalos to leave Puttur on October 17 for Mysuru Dasara kambala

As many as 150 pairs of buffalos will leave for Mysuru Dasara kambala from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district on October 17, according to Belapu Deviprasad Shetty, president, Karnataka State Kambala Association. The kambala, organised by Mysuru Dasara Executive Committee, will be held for two days from October 18.

Mr. Shetty said that the buffalos will be transported in different vehicles from the Mahalingeshwar temple in Puttur at 8 a.m. The owners of buffalos will be distributed passes in the temple premises. The buffalos will reach Kushalnagar at noon. There will be a two-hour rest at Kushalnagar before proceeding to Mysuru at 3.30 p.m. All buffalos are expected to reach Mysuru at 6.30 p.m.

2. Mysuru railway division records 3.10 lakh passenger footfall during first five days of Dasara

South Western Railway (SWR), Mysuru division, has made comprehensive arrangements to manage the increase in passengers during Dasara 2026, and ensure safe, smooth and comfortable travel for passengers. During the first five days of Dasara 2026, Mysuru division recorded a total passenger footfall of 3.10 lakh, generating ₹3.11 crore in revenue from ticket sales.

During last year’s Dasara celebrations, the division recorded a total passenger footfall of 6.95 lakh, with a daily average of 69,523 passengers, and earned ₹5.43 crore from ticket sales. In 2024, passenger footfall was 7.41 lakh, with a daily average of 67,423 passengers, while ticket revenue rose to ₹6.14 crore.

3. Mangalore University establishes dedicated experimental facility for iodine aerosol research to advance nuclear safety

In a major milestone for India’s nuclear safety research programme, Mangalore University stated on October 16 that it has established the country’s first dedicated experimental facility for iodine aerosol generation and characterisation at its Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER) at Mangalagangotri.

The initiative brings together the university and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to conduct collaborative research on radiation protection and nuclear reactor safety, thereby establishing a unique state-of-the-art, national research facility. The facility addresses a challenging area of radiation protection in the nuclear energy industry.

4. Priest booked in Mangaluru for sexually assaulting five minor boys

Mangaluru city police have booked Siprian Pinto, a priest at St. Vincent Ferrar Church at Valencia, on the charge of aggravated sexual assault on five 14-year-old boys. In a complaint filed at the Mangaluru South police station on October 15, one of the children claimed that Pinto gave him a chocolate and said he loved the boy’s smile. Pinto allegedly took the boy to a room in the church premises and inappropriately touched the rear parts of his body.

On subsequent visits to the church for prayers, Pinto allegedly touched the private parts of the boy and in another instance, hugged him and inappropriately put his hands inside the boy’s undergarments. The boy shared these details with four of his friends, who also claimed to have experienced the same. He then shared the details with his parents who approached the Bishop of Mangaluru who, in turn, advised the boy to file a police complaint.