Context:

• Kambala, a popular buffalo racing contest of the coastal Karnataka region, is set to begin in Bengaluru this weekend.

More on News:

The event is being organized by Tulukoota Bengaluru and buffalo racing teams from coastal Karnataka.

About Kambala: 

• Kambala is a buffalo race held in Coastal Karnataka districts (Dakshina Kannada and Udupi) during the winter months when farmers harvest their paddy crops. 
• It is dedicated to an incarnation of the Hindu God Shiva – Lord Kadri Manjunatha.

• It is usually held after the southwest monsoon, once the paddy is harvested.
• The race is held on two parallel tracks filled with mud and water. Each pair of buffaloes will also have a jockey, or ‘Kambala runner‘ to control and command the animals on the track.
  • The team that wins qualifies for higher rounds till a champion emerges.
• Kolu: Apart from winning the race, targets also include splashing water; in fact, some winners are even declared on the amount of water splashed; this is called ‘kolu’.
• The Kambala was banned due to animal cruelty during this race  in 2014, 
• However in 2017, under (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, Kambala festival was re-legalised as it was a traditional sport. 

News Source: The Hindu