Kambala Festival

The annual buffalo race Kambala is a unique festival observed by the farming community of coastal Karnataka. The distinctive sporting spectacle includes the traditional buffalo race, a renowned and peculiar sport among the state's farming community. Over 150 pairs of buffalos are particularly groomed for the festivities. On the first day of Kambala, a procession with all the buffalos is held. Before the race, the buffalos are pitted against one another. Some consider that the festival is observed to commemorate Lord Kadri Manjunatha, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, for a bountiful crop. Others say that the event was started by the farmers of Karnataka. It is also believed that the racing custom was started by the Hoysala Kings to determine if buffalos could be trained and utilised in warfare.