This yearly event is celebrated with much enthusiasm and fervour in most parts of Dakshina Kannada, including Mangalore. The Kambala festival season starts in November and lasts till March.

A participant with his buffalo’s run in Kambala (buffalo race), at Mangaluru. Kambala is an action packed buffalo racing sport in south Western Karnataka.

History of Kambala, Karnataka

The origin of the Kambala celebration can be traced back to more than a thousand years. During the early days of the festival it was known as Karaga celebrations. Later it came to be known as Kambala celebrations. There are different beliefs regarding the origin of the festival.