Kambala is an annual Buffalo Race held traditionally in coastal regions of Karnataka, India. This season usually starts in November and lasts until March. About 45 races are being held anually every year. This started as a source of entertainment for ther farmers during off season which is still being continued every year as pride.
Kambala is traditionally a simple sport. The ‘track’ used for Kambala is a paddy field filled with slush. The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes, controlled by a whip-lashing farmer. In olden days, the winning pair of buffaloes was rewarded with coconuts and a bunch of plantains. However, Kambala today has become an organised,professional sport. People place massive bets on the buffaloes to win and one can witness more than 20,000 spectators in a well-organised Kambala.
We had a chance to be a part of the puttur kambla. Puttur is about 1 hour drive from Mangalore. We stayed in Managlore city and hire a cab to reach Puttur. I shouldn’t forget to quote this about manglore “Well organised city in India. I have seen till now”.
We went to Puttur a bit earlier to the start of the race. There were so many people from near by village coming in trucks with their buffloes to take part in that race.
The practise session started, the owners comes with their buffaloes for registration. An old man cheked the teeths of bulls, by which they catogrise them into senior or junior. Each team is allowed for 2-3 practise run.
The owners hires a jockey for their bulls, the jockeys can run for different team. Howver some of the owners restrist them to their team alone.
The main event started in the afternoon, where 2 team will compete at a time. Who ever finishes the 200 m track willed with water wins the race. This goes on for the entire night till the monday evening when the finals take place. people was buzzing like bees, It was like village festival crowed with 1000s of people.
The Kamabala committe members were happy to see us coming all the way from chennai just for this race. They presented us the red turban as a symbol of respect. Also gave us coupons for tea, snacks and lunch.