Hundreds of spectators gathered in the town of Buntwal, in Karnataka, on Sunday as the annual farming festival began with the popular Kambala race, a traditional buffalo-racing event.<br /><br />Footage shows trainers readying their buffaloes for the high-speed event, as the powerful beasts charge down the slick, mud-soaked track. Spectators were seen cheering from the sidelines as the race unfolded, while handlers kept the animals cool with splashes of water.<br /><br />"We are happy that the season for this year has started. Around 29 more events will happen this year. We have to participate in those 29 events, and we have to prepare the buffaloes a little bit better for those events," explained the buffalo trainer.<br /><br />"It is fun watching this. I am excited to see the runners. They have a good physique," added a spectator. "This is the first time we are watching this. It is the culture here which brings out these things."<br /><br />Traditionally seen as a ritual to ensure a good harvest and a form of recreation for local farmers, the race has grown into an increasingly competitive spectacle. Held annually from November to March, the event now stages up to 30 races each season.<br /><br />Follow us on:<br />WhatsApp cutt.ly/WhatsAppCFM<br />https://twitter.com/capitalfmkenya/<br />https://www.facebook.com/capitalfmkenya<br />https://www.instagram.com/capitalfmkenya<br /><br />Subscribe to Capital FM News for More: https://goo.gl/um4AGk<br /><br />98.4 Capital FM<br />93.0 Western Kenya<br />98.5 Nakuru and Nyeri<br />104.5 Malindi<br />102.7 Garissa<br />103.9 Meru<br />106.5 Kitui<br />104.9 Voi<br /><br />#CapitalFmKenya
