Kambala is an age-old tradition of giving thanks to gods and nature, celebrated in the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka. It is as famous as the Buffalo racing event in many parts of the world.
Twinkle Updated: December 15, 2022 17:36 IST
What is Kambala Festival?
The visual delight of ‘Kantara: The Legend’ has given us an insight into the richness and diversity of Karnataka’s culture. After Kola, there is another tradition here like Kambala or commonly known as the Buffalo Racing Event held from November to March every year.
What is Kambala Festival?
In Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, the annual Kambala festival is celebrated. The festival includes traditional buffalo racing, a popular and distinctive sport among the state’s farming community.
One sport is Kambala. Buffaloes are herded by a farmer around a muddy rice field that serves as a Kambala racetrack. Mangalore and Udupi are two famous areas where villages participate in Kambala celebrations.
Traditional Kambala, on the other hand, lacks competition and pits the pair against each other. Competition in contemporary Kambala usually involves two pairs of buffaloes. Coconuts and bananas were given to the winning pair of buffaloes. Gold and silver coins are now awarded to successful owners. Some organizers may award a cash prize or an 8-gram gold coin to the winner.
Why is the Kambala Festival celebrated?
There are various accounts about the origin of Kambala; some claim that the tradition was started by kings more than a thousand years ago as a royal pastime, while others assert that the farming community was responsible. The traditional Kambala festival is considered a way for the gods to receive thanks for a good harvest or rains. Some people even attribute their animals’ immunity to disease to higher strength.
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11 Interesting Facts Related to Kambala Festival
- Kambala is an annual festival that begins in November and lasts until March held in Dakshina Kannada.
- Kambala is derived from ‘Kampa-kala’, where the word ‘Kampa’ means muddy or muddy, and Kala refers to field.
- The origins of the Kambala celebration can be traced back more than a thousand years ago.
- In the early days of the festival, it was known as the Karaga celebration.
- It is dedicated to the incarnation of the Hindu God Shiva, known as Lord Kadri Manjunatha.
- According to records, the festival was started by the Hoysala kings to see if buffalo could be trained and used in war.
- Farms and local people organize these races as a gesture of thanksgiving and gratitude to the gods for the good health of the buffalo herd.
- Racing events were and still are a form of entertainment and recreational sport for the farming community.
- The festival takes place in various categories, namely Negilu, Hagga, Adda Halage and Kene Halage.
- Mangalore is one of the places where Kambala is celebrated on a large scale.
- Although the Supreme Court of India imposed a ban on Kambala after several petitions were filed against animal cruelty in racing, later in 2017, the sport has been re-legalized as a traditional form of sport.
Check out other important dates and dates in December 2022
Frequently asked questions
In which state is buffalo racing held?
Karnataka
When does Kambala start?
The first recorded kambala was held on February 2, 1970, at Bajagoli near Karkala in Udupi district
Where is Kambala festival held?
The Buffalo Racing Festival is an annual festival held in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
Why is the Kambala Festival celebrated?
The annual festival is held to pray to the gods for a good harvest.
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Source: pagasa.edu.vn