This event of Kambla dates back more than 100 years ago and is usually held during the months of December and January in various parts in and around Mangalore. Village people wait anxiously for the Kambla season to start every year.
The actual Kambla site has dual channels of water, rectangular in shape and clear of any impediment. The channels have constant supply of flowing water. Around the center of the length of the channel they have two banners at slight different heights.
The length of the rectangular channel is 110 meters and men who run along with these buffaloes are young, bare footed and at times break the speed of Olympic sprinter that is under 14 seconds.
The have a wooden plank tied immediately behind buffaloes hind legs and the man at times stands on it. There is a hole in the plank through which a jet of water rockets up, depending on who touches the highest point on the banner, is adjudged the winner.
The attire these men who ran with the buffalo wore was also unique, maroon lungi tied above the knee and similar colored turban (mundas) too.There will be people wearing costumes to imitate buffalo and little boys would be seen playing drums to imitate the band.
The whole atmosphere will so surreal, out of this world, people of all ages including children and women would be gathered at one place. They were cheering at the time of the race, or just strolling around the site of the kambla.There will pendals where buffaloes were resting after the race guarded by a man with a whip.
KADRI KAMBLA
The Kadri Kambla is also one of the oldest in the district. The first Kambla was reportedly held during the time of Devu Poonja. In his book Gururaja Bhat mentions that the great warrior Devu Poonja of 10th century BC records in his soujourn into the country side of Dakshina Kannada then known as Kadali' recounts the fervour and gaiety with which Kambla was held in these parts.
The Kadri Kambla is a double track event. The tracks have been named after Lord Shiva namely Machchendranatha and Gorakshanatha. Apart from the Buffalo races there will be other folk games that will be played including Hagga Jaggata in men, women and children category, slush track dash for girls and boys, Theppangayi for youth. The Theppangayi is the rural form of the Rugby. A clean shaven coconut dipped in oil is handed over to two teams of youth, these groups try to hold the slippery coconut and reach it to the goal post.
According to Gunapal Kadamba one of the top Kambla specialist there are more than 45 Kambalas held annually in the district. The Kambla season starts from November and goes up to March in Kundapur in Udupi taluk to Kasargod in Kerala state, which is known as tulunadu. Nearly 18 of the Kambalas are held under a Kambala Samithi and the rest are held under the auspices of temples and with political patronage.
Shirva Soorya -Chandra, Baradi Beedu Soorya - Chandra, Katapadi Beedu Moodu Padu, Mulki Moodu Padu, Aikala - Bava Kantha bare - Booda bare, Miyar - Karkala Lava - Kusha, Adve - Nandikoor Koti Chennayya, Barkur - Althar Kshetrapala - Nagaraja, Permude - Venoor Soorya - Chandra, Pajir Lava - Kusha, Idu Jaya - Vijaya, Puttur Koti Chennayya, Pilikula Nethravathi - Palguni Kamblas are some of the most popular Kamblas in the district.
