Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (RJP)

Kundapur, Nov 30: After the Supreme Court issued ban order on Kambala and the same was conveyed to the district administrations of twin coastal districts, a different type of 'silent' Kambala was held in Yadthady without any beating of animals involved on Sunday November 30. The Kambala was only held to fulfill divine vows made earlier.

As per tradition, solemn pledge or vow made to the family deities (Harake in Kannada) have to be followed without any failure.

It should be remembered that no Kambala was held anywhere after the district administration imposed the ban in coastal Karnataka. The debates started on the ban and a huge protest was held in Mangaluru recently where thousands of protesters participated.

Yadthady near Barkur has a history of holding its Kambala for generations. The organizers this time put more emphasis on the tradition of Kambala than on running the animals on the field. The buffaloes and bullocks were only made to venture into the marshy field without running the usual race. There was no beating on them as is normally done during the usual Kambala. All the people who had come to observe their vows strictly followed this rule.

Of course some animals ran a race spontaneously but without any provocation from anybody. It was strictly warned through announcements and banners that the Supreme Court order should be respected. It was requested not to punish the animals in any matter.

The Kambala which has cultural, religious and historical significance was planned to be held in a symbolic way. Since there was no entertainment like in the past, the spectators were limited to lesser numbers compared to previous years.

When all the Kambala organizers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts were worried as to how to hold even Kambla to fulfill vows, the present Kambla has come as special news. It may become a precedent and a model for the future Kambalas to be held in the region.