BUFFALO FESTIVALS IN INDIA
1. Context
Despite heavy rain and a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department, villages in Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra witnessed a massive turnout for Naangarni Spardha, the traditional ploughing race, on July 26 and 27.
2. Buffaloes and Culture
- Buffaloes thrive in water-rich environments such as ponds, rivers, wetlands, and rice paddies. In contrast, cows are more suited to the drier terrains of jungles. India’s geography supports both ecosystems: the arid zones where crops like wheat and millet are cultivated, and the moist river valleys ideal for rice farming.
- This natural division associates cows and bulls with drylands and nomadic herding, whereas buffaloes are closely tied to settled agricultural communities, preferring to remain near water and less inclined to wander.
- Bulls are usually castrated to create bullocks, which are then used for tasks like cart-pulling and ploughing tough soil. Male buffaloes, on the other hand, are not typically castrated—they are controlled with nose rings instead.
- Some are trained as pack animals and can plough submerged rice fields effectively. While cultural and religious emphasis in India is often placed on cows, buffaloes hold significant value in both the economy and cultural life of the country, playing key roles in agriculture, rituals, and folk traditions.
- Evidence of buffalo domestication goes as far back as the Indus Valley Civilization, where they appear on Harappan seals, suggesting their importance over 4,500 years ago. These were likely river buffaloes, whose milk was processed into curd, butter, and eventually ghee.
- Beyond dairy, they were also a source of meat—India remains a top exporter of buffalo meat—and their bones were fashioned into tools. The famous Pashupati seal even depicts a buffalo facing a horned ascetic figure, symbolizing strength and vitality.
- Buffalo horns, featured on multiple seals, further reinforce their association with power and masculinity
3. Buffalo in Mythologies
- Roughly 3,500 years ago, the Rig Veda (hymn 4.18.13) compares the powerful god Indra, invigorated by the sacred Soma, to a wild buffalo, symbolizing strength and untamed energy.
- About 2,000 years ago, in Tamil Sangam literature—specifically Kuruntokai poem 65—a buffalo wallowing in a lotus-filled pond is likened to an uncultured man who fails to value the refined woman he is about to marry. These examples highlight how buffaloes were deeply embedded in India's cultural and symbolic language, both in northern and southern traditions.
- In Buddhist lore, the Mahisha Jataka, depicted in the murals of Ajanta, tells the tale of a kind-hearted buffalo who patiently endures the torment of a mischievous monkey. Even when advised by a tree spirit (yaksha) to retaliate, the buffalo chooses peace.
- However, when he steps away and is replaced by a different buffalo, the monkey continues his antics—unaware of the change—and is ultimately trampled to death.
- In Jainism, the buffalo carries rich symbolism as well. It serves as the emblem of the 12th Tirthankara, Vasupujya, and the Yakshi goddess Jwalamalini is often depicted riding a buffalo.
- According to legend, Jwalamalini was a devoted Jain woman in her past life, who served monks faithfully but was mistreated by her husband. As karmic consequence, she was reborn as a yakshi, and her abusive husband was reborn as the buffalo she now rides.
- Within Hindu mythology, the buffalo assumes a prominent role. It is the mount (vahana) of Yamraj, the god of death. Additionally, it appears in the famous myth of Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, who is slain by the goddess Durga.
- The earliest known depiction of this event dates back to around 100 BCE, discovered in Rajasthan. During the Kushan era, terracotta figurines frequently illustrated Durga overpowering the buffalo demon with her bare hands.
- As time progressed, this imagery evolved. Durga came to be portrayed in a more elaborate form—riding a lion, pinning the buffalo underfoot, and slaying him with her weapons.
- These depictions appear in temple art from the Gupta, Chalukya, and Pallava periods. Today, this mythological scene is central to Navaratri festivities, celebrated every autumn across India, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil
4. Buffalo Sacifices in India
- In various folk traditions of the Deccan, it is customary to sacrifice a young male buffalo (called reda) to the goddess during local festivals. This act of offering is not just a ritual of devotion but is also believed to appease the goddess, ensuring that children are protected from dangers such as tiger attacks.
- During the sacrifice, a symbolic gesture is performed where the buffalo’s leg is placed in its mouth before presenting it to the deity. A similar custom is observed in Nepal.
- Meanwhile, a new male calf is selected and raised throughout the year to become the next sacrificial animal. This annual cycle of selecting, nurturing, and sacrificing represents the cycle of life and fertility, where new life is meant to take the place of the old, reinforcing agricultural and cosmic renewal.
- In Kerala’s mythology, the local deity Ayyappa, born from the union of Shiva (Hara) and Vishnu (Hari), is said to have vanquished Mahishi, who is depicted as the sister of the demon Mahisha.
- Similarly, in Maharashtra, a buffalo deity known as Mhasoba is worshipped as the consort of a village goddess. These stories suggest a recurring theme: the buffalo lover or suitor of the goddess is often defeated or sacrificed, while the goddess ultimately aligns herself with Shiva, who rides a bull instead.
- Across the Deccan, many village goddesses are worshipped through processions led by young male priests known as Potraj, sometimes referred to as the "buffalo king."
- These Potrajs are striking figures—dressed in a fierce manner and carrying whips—and they play a central role in festivals like Bonalu, widely observed in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.
- Depending on the tradition, the Potraj may be considered the son or husband of the goddess Kali, though he often refers to himself as her loyal servant
5. Famous Kambala festival
- Kambala is a traditional and culturally rich buffalo racing festival celebrated primarily in the coastal districts of Karnataka, especially in the regions of Udupi, Mangalore, and Kasaragod. This unique event is deeply rooted in the agrarian traditions of the Tulu Nadu region and usually takes place during the post-harvest season, from November to March.
- The festival centers around a thrilling race where pairs of buffaloes, driven by a human sprinter called the jockey, dash through water-filled, slushy paddy fields, known locally as Kambala tracks.
- These races are not merely about speed but also reflect the deep bond between the farmer and his animals, who train rigorously for months before the event. The buffaloes are decked with decorative harnesses and ornaments, and their handlers often take great pride in their grooming, strength, and performance.
- Kambala was originally conceived as a form of thanksgiving to the gods for a bountiful harvest. It was also a way to test the strength and agility of buffaloes used for farming.
- Over time, however, it evolved into a community sport and cultural spectacle, drawing large crowds, music, and festive fervor. The races are conducted in various styles, with some categories judging the speed of the buffaloes, and others rewarding how high they splash water during their sprint.
- The festival has not been without controversy. Concerns regarding animal cruelty led to a temporary ban in 2014, following a Supreme Court judgment related to Jallikattu.
- However, after local protests and calls for preserving cultural heritage, the Karnataka government passed a law to regulate and permit Kambala under strict guidelines, emphasizing the non-violent treatment of animals and ensuring veterinary care during the events
6. Naangarni Spardha
- Naangarni Spardha is a lesser-known but culturally significant traditional buffalo racing event held in parts of North Karnataka, especially in the Uttara Kannada and Belagavi districts.
- Much like the more widely known Kambala of coastal Karnataka, Naangarni Spardha is deeply rooted in the region’s agrarian lifestyle, but it carries its own distinct identity and local flavor.
- The word "Naangarni" refers to a waterlogged field prepared specially for the race after the monsoon or harvest season. The term "Spardha" simply means competition. In this event, pairs of buffaloes are yoked together and raced through these muddy fields, often cheered on by large village crowds who gather to witness the spectacle. The buffaloes are usually guided by their owners or handlers who run alongside or behind them, steering them through the slippery terrain.
- Naangarni Spardha is not just a competition of speed but a test of coordination, strength, and training, both of the animals and their handlers. It also acts as a symbol of prestige for the farming families who take part in it.
- The buffaloes are raised and trained with care throughout the year, often being fed special diets and conditioned for stamina. Victory in these local contests brings immense pride to the owners and often solidifies their status within the community.
- Unlike Kambala, which has received broader media attention and tourism interest, Naangarni Spardha remains a largely community-centered festival, conducted during local fairs (jatre) or as part of village temple celebrations. The races are often tied to religious rituals, such as offerings to the local deities for a good harvest, protection of livestock, and blessings for the community.
- The festival, however, is facing challenges. With modernization, reduced dependence on traditional farming methods, and increasing urban migration, the number of such events has declined in recent years. Still, efforts by local cultural groups and youth organizations aim to revive and preserve Naangarni Spardha as a living part of North Karnataka’s rural heritage
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For Prelims: Kambala festival, Naangarni Spardha, Tirthankara, Jainism, Indus Valley Civilization
For Mains: GS I - Art & Culture
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Source: Indianexpress
