Mangaluru: The Sankupunja – Devupunja Jodukere Kambala was inaugurated by the MLA of North Constituency, Moideen Bava, by lighting the traditional lamp at Shri Tiruvailguthu Vamanjoor here, on February 22.
After the inauguration speaking on the occasion, MLA Bava said, “I felt very happy when I was asked to be the honourary president of the Sankupunja – Devupunja Jodukere Kambala by the organizers, I had the same feeling when I won the election and become an MLA.” He further said that the government had put a ban on the Kambala due to the wrong information given by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences to the Supreme Court which ordered the ban on Kambala in the twin districts. “As soon as the ban was imposed, we met the law minister as well as the chief minister to lift the ban because Kambala is a traditional buffalo race. We explained the meaning of the Kambala and said that the owners are not involved in cruelty to the buffaloes. Infact, the buffaloes are treated with affection and special care. After the assurances, we were given permission to hold the Kambala. We have to keep the assurances by not harming the buffaloes in anyway.”
He further said that most of the participants belong to all communities. “Kambala is a rural sport which brings everyone together. Let us bring harmony and brotherhood through Kambala.”
The chief priest of Shri Amritheshwara Temple, Tiruvailguthu Gopalkrishna Bhat speaking on the occasion said that the Sankupunja – Devupunja Jodukere Kambala is known as Devara Kambala (God’s kambala). “This is the third year we are holding this Kambala. Tiruvail means ‘Laxmi bail’ and Goddess Laxmi has blessed this area and the cultivation in Tiruvail is very good.” He also blessed the participants, the buffaloes and the organizers.
Abubaker Musliyar also spoke on the occasion and said that the Kambala brings peace, harmony and brotherhood. “Let the Kambala be successful without any hurdles.”
The Kambala will continue throughout the day. Sadananda Alva, Praveenchandra Alva, Thimappa Bangera, Rajkumar Shetty, Ashok D K , Sundar Alva, Yashwanti Alva, Bhaskar Moily and others were also present.