Mangaluru: Pilikula “Nethravati-Phalguni” Kambala postponed due to model code of conduct

Mangaluru: The highly anticipated “Nethravati-Phalguni” Kambala event, scheduled to take place on November 17 at Pilikula, has been postponed by the Dakshina Kannada District Administration due to the ongoing model code of conduct for the local gram panchayat by-elections.

With elections set for several gram panchayats statewide, the code of conduct is in effect, impacting the government-sponsored Kambala event in Pilikula. The Pilikula Kambala venue falls under the jurisdiction of the Moodushedde Panchayat, where the by-elections are also scheduled. Therefore, it has been decided to defer the event from its originally planned date of November 17.

Speaking to Udayavani, Dakshina Kannada Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Santosh Kumar said, “Due to the model code of conduct being in effect until November 26, we have decided to postpone the Pilikula Kambala. Once the code is lifted, the district administration will announce a new date for the event.”

Traditional Ritual to Proceed on November 17

District Kambala Committee President Belapu Deviprasad Shetty informed Udayavani that while all preparations were underway, including the construction of the Kambala track, the event has been postponed due to the code of conduct. As the district administration is the official organizer, adherence to the code is mandatory. However, the traditional ritual will still take place on November 17, as per custom.

The committee will discuss the new date on the same day. If any minor adjustments to the previously planned Kambala schedule are required once the code of conduct ends, the Pilikula Kambala will be organized accordingly. Otherwise, the committee may consider scheduling the event mid-week, said Shetty.

On November 11, Udayavani had already reported on the potential postponement of the Pilikula Kambala due to the code of conduct.