Kambala

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.

The word festival implies an occasion of joy and merriment. To be candid, every heritage, every culture has its own distinctive festivals. So has the Indian cultural scenario. Each year in India opens with a festival and closes with another one.

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.

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.

Kambala festival takes place in various places of Karnataka such as Kolatta, Puttur, Bolantur, Mahjalu, Baradi Beedu and so on.