Golden jubilee kambala in Aikala on Feb 7, 8

Mangaluru: The golden jubilee celebrations of historic Aikalabava Kanthabare-Boodabare Kambala will be held at Aikala village in Mulki taluk on Feb 7 and 8.Kambala Samiti president and State Kambala Association president Deviprasad Shetty Belapu told reporters on Monday the committee will celebrate the kambala event as a community festival by holding various religious, social, sports and health-related activities. Nearly 220 pairs of buffaloes are expected to take part in the 50th year's kambala event.‘Aikalotsava', a festival as part of the golden jubilee celebrations, will commence on Feb 3 and continue till Feb 8. Various religious and cultural programmes will be held as part of the festival. Kateel Yakshagana Mela will stage ‘Devi Mahatme' on Feb 6."Kambala is held in Aikala to commemorate the twin local deities Kanthabare and Boodabare, regarded as protectors of the region. Nagalaya and Brahmasthana shrines were renovated as part of the golden jubilee. A Punaprathishta and Brahmakalashotsava ceremony of the deities at Aikalabava Dharma Chavadi will also be held on the occasion," Shetty added.Kambala will be inaugurated by vastu expert Chandrashekhara Swami at 9.30am on Feb 7. SCDCC Bank chairman M N Rajendra Kumar will be conferred ‘Kambala Ratna Award' in recognition of his contribution to the cooperative sector and support for kambala at 6.30pm.Kambala races will be held under Negilu Kiriya, Negilu Hiriya, Hagga Kiriya, Hiriya, Adda Halage and Kane Halage categories. First and second prize winners will receive one sovereign and 0.5-pawan gold medals, respectively. All pairs of buffaloes reaching the semi-finals will be awarded silver medals and cash prizes. All kambala jockeys will receive certificates and cash prizes, he explained. Owners of all participating buffaloes will also be honoured.