Kambala Festival in Karnataka | BangaloreOrbit.com

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Kambala Festival

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Kambala Festival-Karnataka

About:

Kambala Festival, a rural festival of Karnataka is celebrated every year with a lot of enthusiasm and vigor. The Kambala Festival is popular because of the Buffalo Race associated with it. The Kambala Buffalo Race is held with a lot of colors, grandeur and merriment. This rural sporting festival of Karnataka was at one point of time a pastime for the royal family and the tradition was kept alive till it passed on the ordinary men, by the feudal lords of Tulu region.

The Kambala Festival is famous for the Buffalo race that is held during the celebrations. During the Kambala Festival in Karnataka, when the fields are wet, the buffalos are made to race on the tracks, edged by a strong farmer who comes after the buffaloes surfing and balancing his way on top of a wooden plank. The buffalo race starts off amidst a lot of colors, frenzy and cheers. The buffalo which is the swiftest gets the fist prize.

Buffalo race is a rural sport of the southern coastal Karnataka. The excitement of a buffalo race were once enjoyed by the royal people as a pastime show. However, this tradition is still alive among the rural people and they largely enjoy the Kambala festival due to this reason. During this festival the fields are made wet with water and the buffaloes are made to run on that wet racing track edged by a strong and bold farmer who comes behind the beasts balancing on a wooden plank. The people outside the racing course shout out of sheer excitement and the swiftest buffalo gets the prize.

Location info:

Address:Karnataka,India

District: Karnataka,India

Best time to visit: November to March

Climate/Weather:

During winter temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius,Summer Average temperature is 34 degrees Celsius

History:

The kambala buffalo race in rural southern coastal Karnataka originated as a royal pastime and was later continued by the feudal lords of the Tulu Region. The event features water buffalos racing down a slushy track, egged on by a farmer balancing precariously on a wooden plank trailing behind the beasts. A riot of color and frenzied cheering mark this annual sporting event where the prizes go to the swiftest. From November to March in Baradi Beedu, Bolantur, Kolatta Majalu, Bajagoli, Puttur, Kamalakatte, Uppinangadi and Kolakebylu.

Importance:

The rural sport of Kambala is a traditional buffalo race held predominantly in the southern coastal Karnataka region. A melange of slush, speed and power, Kambala features buffaloes racing down a muddy track while being urged frantically by a farmer riding a wooden plank. A massive congregation cheers the competing beasts and fastest pair of buffaloes garners the top prize.

In its original avatar, Karaga celebration was marked by the humble elements of rural life. Held amidst a rural setting, the winner of Karaga race was awarded a coconut and a bunch of plantains. Today, riding on a popularity wave, Kambula has assumed massive proportions. Modern Kambalas are professionally organized day and night events with electric illumination. One could see more than 20,000 spectators in a well-organized "Kambula" and up to 130 pairs of buffaloes may participate.

Method of Celebration:

Buffalo race:
Wondering how the game is played. To begin with Kambala is a very simple to play. A track for running is used this track usually is set within the paddy field. Two buffaloes are tied to a cart and the contest takes place between two pair of buffaloes. These animals are controlled by the farmer who carries a whip with him. In the ancient ages the winning pair of buffaloes was rewarded with fruits such as coconut and other simple gifts. Later, however, these plain gifts were replaced by money.

Culture of Festivities:

The Kambala festival of Karnataka has a different charm. Though being mainly a rural festival, Kambala festival is celebrated with much of pomp and gaiety by the urban populace of Karnataka. The Kambala buffalo race is one of the major attractions of this grand festival.Wondering how the game is played. To begin with Kambala is a very simple to play. A track for running is used this track usually is set within the paddy field.

Two buffaloes are tied to a cart and the contest takes place between two pair of buffaloes. These animals are controlled by the farmer who carries a whip with him. In the ancient ages the winning pair of buffaloes was rewarded with fruits such as coconut and other simple gifts. Later, however, these plain gifts were replaced by money.Coming to the Karnataka festivals, one can find a culture that is so well nourished by the Karnataka people. The rural life is full of emotions and enthusiasm. Kambala festival which takes place in the months between November and March every year is long awaited by the people there. This festival is popular because of the buffalo race that takes place.