Kambala season to kick off on October 26 in Bengaluru

Kambala season to kick off on October 26 in Bengaluru

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, August 11, 2024: The traditional and widely celebrated buffalo race, Kambala, will commence on October 26 and continue until April 19, according to the latest schedule released by the Zilla Kambala Samithi covering Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasaragod districts.

The decision to finalize the Kambala calendar was taken during the Samithi’s annual meeting held on Saturday. Samithi President Deviprasad Shetty announced that the first event of the season will take place in Bengaluru, while the final race will be hosted in Shivamogga. This season will feature 25 Kambala events across various locations.

“A year ago, Kambala was introduced in Bengaluru, and this year, it is expanding to Shivamogga, responding to popular demand,” said Shetty. He also mentioned that Samithi members visited Shivamogga to finalize the venue. Additionally, the meeting confirmed the continuation of the Kambala organized by Dr. Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama in November, which had previously been halted in 2014 due to objections raised by PETA over concerns of animal cruelty.

The Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada will serve as the chairperson for the Pilikula Kambala, and has pledged full support to the event.

To maintain discipline and efficiency, the Samithi decided that Kambala events must be completed within 24 hours, avoiding unnecessary delays. A significant rule change limits jockeys to racing with a maximum of three pairs of buffaloes, down from the previous allowance of five to six pairs per event. The meeting also approved a bylaw focusing on discipline during the races.

In a move towards modernization, the Samithi will introduce technology such as sirens, sensors, and CCTV cameras to ensure that Kambala events run smoothly and adhere to the new regulations.