Mangalore: Prestigious Netravati – Phalguni Jodukare Kambla Begins at Pilikula

By Special Correspondant
Pics by John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 8 Feb 2014: The sixth annual Netravati - Phalguni Jodukare Kambala that was organized by Dakshina Kannada (DK) district administration and Pilikula Nisargadhama, as part of DK district Karavali Utsav, at Pilikula, Moodushedde, here began with much fanfare on Saturday, February 8.

 
The key organizers brought a pair of racing buffaloes with the yoke mounted on their neck in front of the traditional Pilikula Guttu house and taken to the racing arena in a colorful procession, accompanied by dignitaries and traditional music.

 

DK Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) commissioner Mohammed Nazeer, Mangalore south MLA J R Lobo, Pilikula Nisargadhama director S Krishnamurti, Canara bus owners’ Association president Rajavarma Ballal,  Dr Jeevandar Ballal Baradibeedu, Shettar’s Consultant managing director T Subbayya Shetty and others ceremoniously inaugurated the Kambla on the occasion.

 

 

The dignitaries walked along the Kambla field with the pair of buffaloes towards the starting point. The first pair of buffaloes was flagged-off and made to run on the slush track, declaring the Kambla open.

 

This is the only annual Kambala that is organized by the district administration. More than 150 pairs of buffaloes are expected to take part in this Netravati-Phalguni Jodukare Kambla, also known as Pilikula Kambala.

 

The winners will be awarded with gold coin weighing 1.5 sovereign pounds, 1 sovereign and so on. Along with gold coins, the district administration will also issue certificates. Therefore, winning here is a matter of prestige for the participants.