171 Buffalo pairs participate in the 8th Mangaluru Kambala

171 Buffalo pairs participate in the 8th Mangaluru Kambala

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 29, 2024: The eighth edition of the Mangaluru Kambala concluded on Sunday at Goldfinch City with 171 pairs of buffaloes competing across six categories.

The categories included Kane Halage (7 pairs), Adda Halage (8 pairs), Hagga Hiriya (20 pairs), Hagga Kiriya (23 pairs), Negilu Hiriya (32 pairs), and Negilu Kiriya (81 pairs).

In the Hagga Hiriya category, Nandalike Srikanth Bhat’s buffalo pairs jockeyed by Bambranabailu Vandith Shetty secured the first position, followed by Kolake Irvathoor Bhaskar S. Kotian’s pairs handled by Kakyapadavu Kruthik Gowda.

In Hagga Kiriya, Mala Kalleri Bharath Shetty’s pairs handled by Bajagoli Jogibettu Nishanth Shetty emerged victorious, while 80 Badagabettu Kallapapu Shreeka Sandeep Shetty’s pairs jockeyed by Byndoor Vishwanatha Devadiga came second.

The Negilu Hiriya category saw Byndoor Vishwanatha Devadiga guiding Bolada Guthu Satish Shetty’s pairs to victory, with Kruthik Gowda leading Mangaluru Bajal Shailesh Shetty’s pairs to second place.

In the Negilu Kiriya category, Yermal Puchhottu Beedu Balachandra Lokayya Shetty’s pairs jockeyed by Patte Gurucharan claimed the top spot, followed by Muniyalu Udaya Kumar Shetty’s pairs handled by Masthikatte Swaroop.

The Adda Halage category was dominated by Naravi Yuvaraj Jain Kambalabhimani Vakeelara Vrinda Mangaluru A and B pairs, jockeyed by Bhatkal Harish, taking the first two places. In Kane Halage, all seven pairs received equal recognition.

During a formal stage programme on Saturday evening, Kambala organiser and Congress leader Mithun Rai emphasized the cultural significance of Kambala. He expressed hope that Dakshina Kannada MP and Mangaluru Kambala Samiti president Capt. Brijesh Chowta could present Kambala buffaloes at the Republic Day Parade to highlight Tulu Nadu’s heritage across India.

Mr. Rai called for unity in preserving Kambala as a symbol of culture, free from political, caste, and religious divides.

The event was attended by Samiti honorary president K. Prakash Shetty, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLAs Umanath Kotian, Rajesh U. Naik, Ashok Kumar Rai, Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLC Ivan D’Souza, and other dignitaries.