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Photos: Kambala buffalo races held in Karnataka as activists solicit bans

Kambala buffalo races are held in Karnataka by farmers of the Tulva community after the harvest of the second crop. The legalisation of the sport by former president Pranab Mukherjee in July last year has met criticism from animal rights activists including PETA who in their investigation have reported the sport being cruel to animals.

Updated on: Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM IST

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Kambala is an annual slush-track buffalo race held in the coastal districts of Karnataka among the Tuluva community, after the cultivation of the second crop --Suggi. Around 45 races take place during a span of three months. As racers take to their lanes this year, the Supreme Court is set to hear a fresh plea filed by animal rights organizations challenging a previous verdict which legalised this sport. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

Kambala is an annual slush-track buffalo race held in the coastal districts of Karnataka among the Tuluva community, after the cultivation of the second crop --Suggi. Around 45 races take place during a span of three months. As racers take to their lanes this year, the Supreme Court is set to hear a fresh plea filed by animal rights organizations challenging a previous verdict which legalised this sport. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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The sport is celebrating its 25th year with 150 pairs of buffaloes in the Puttu arena –one of its most popular destinations. Thousands from surrounding areas gathered to witness the action packed races, which span over 24 hours. Most modern Kambala venues use laser beams to record photo finishes. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

The sport is celebrating its 25th year with 150 pairs of buffaloes in the Puttu arena –one of its most popular destinations. Thousands from surrounding areas gathered to witness the action packed races, which span over 24 hours. Most modern Kambala venues use laser beams to record photo finishes. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

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The buffaloes are prepped by teams of men, who massage them with coconut oil, bathing and cooling them with splashes of water. For centuries, the sport was non – competitive and played with a purpose of entertaining the peasant community. A reformation in 1969 for its revival lent it competitive air. The traditional form of Kambala is still found in some parts of Karnataka. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

The buffaloes are prepped by teams of men, who massage them with coconut oil, bathing and cooling them with splashes of water. For centuries, the sport was non – competitive and played with a purpose of entertaining the peasant community. A reformation in 1969 for its revival lent it competitive air. The traditional form of Kambala is still found in some parts of Karnataka. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

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The jockeys run along with buffaloes all through the race controlling them with a whip. Two parallel race tracks of 150 meters in length are filled with muddy water and it takes approximately 15 seconds to cover the distance. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

The jockeys run along with buffaloes all through the race controlling them with a whip. Two parallel race tracks of 150 meters in length are filled with muddy water and it takes approximately 15 seconds to cover the distance. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

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Whip marks on a buffalo’s back during a Kambala race in Puttur. In 2017, following a lift on the ‘Jalikattu’ ban, supporters demanded legalisation for this race. In July, the same year, former president Pranab Mukherjee approved the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, making the sport legal. Animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi was among the first to express concerns on the cruelty endured by animals during this race. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

Whip marks on a buffalo’s back during a Kambala race in Puttur. In 2017, following a lift on the ‘Jalikattu’ ban, supporters demanded legalisation for this race. In July, the same year, former president Pranab Mukherjee approved the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, making the sport legal. Animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi was among the first to express concerns on the cruelty endured by animals during this race. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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A jockey whips a pair of buffalo racing towards the finish line in Puttur. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has also stated in its petition that the animals are subjected to beatings during the race and training period. “This investigation proves yet again that buffalo bulls are terrorised in cruel Kambala events – and no amount of regulation can ever change that,” Nikunj Sharma, PETA’s Public Policy Lead said. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

A jockey whips a pair of buffalo racing towards the finish line in Puttur. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has also stated in its petition that the animals are subjected to beatings during the race and training period. “This investigation proves yet again that buffalo bulls are terrorised in cruel Kambala events – and no amount of regulation can ever change that,” Nikunj Sharma, PETA’s Public Policy Lead said. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

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The Kambala race is divided into four categories—Negilu (Plough) and Hagga involve the runner holding a rope tied to the buffaloes while in Adda Halage and Kane Halage, a cross wooden plank is tied to the pair of buffaloes which runners stand on during the race. The blocks have two holes and during the race, water gushes out of it. The height of the spray is measured to choose the winner. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

The Kambala race is divided into four categories—Negilu (Plough) and Hagga involve the runner holding a rope tied to the buffaloes while in Adda Halage and Kane Halage, a cross wooden plank is tied to the pair of buffaloes which runners stand on during the race. The blocks have two holes and during the race, water gushes out of it. The height of the spray is measured to choose the winner. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

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A band performs during a buffalo race in Karnataka. In the midst of the debate between legalization and bans on the race, the sport has been growing in popularity among locals and is seen as a form of celebration to propitiate the gods for a good harvest. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

A band performs during a buffalo race in Karnataka. In the midst of the debate between legalization and bans on the race, the sport has been growing in popularity among locals and is seen as a form of celebration to propitiate the gods for a good harvest. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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In the past, winners were given tender coconut and bananas as prizes. Today the winner and the runners up in the Kambala are gifted gold coins of 16 grams and 8 grams respectively. In the junior category, the winners are awarded coins weighing 8 grams and 4 grams. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

In the past, winners were given tender coconut and bananas as prizes. Today the winner and the runners up in the Kambala are gifted gold coins of 16 grams and 8 grams respectively. In the junior category, the winners are awarded coins weighing 8 grams and 4 grams. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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The road in front of the Mahalingeshwara temple is decorated with lights during the Kambala buffalo race. The entire area turns into a fair with lit up roads, food stalls selling local delicacies and enthusiasts betting on the races. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 24, 2018 4:16 PM

The road in front of the Mahalingeshwara temple is decorated with lights during the Kambala buffalo race. The entire area turns into a fair with lit up roads, food stalls selling local delicacies and enthusiasts betting on the races. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

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