Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Jan 15 (PTI) As many as 32 people, including a spectator, were injured during the Jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport at Avaniyapuram here on Thursday which marked the first among the three major events for this Pongal 2026 harvest festival season.
About 550 bull tamers, mostly youth, grappled with the animals to display their prowess during the event that would see nearly 1,100 bulls released in succession into the Jallikattu arena.
A mighty white bull charged from the Vadi Vaasal (entry point from where the bulls are released into the arena) went around in a circle and tossed a tamer, who clung on to its hump before finally darting out of the arena.
Several animals that were let into the arena proved to be challenging for the tamers. The animals shrugged off those trying to hold on to the hump and ran away, much to the excitement of the bull owners who would also receive prize for their bulls’ performance.
“What a beauty,” the commentator remarked when a youth held on to the hump of a bull despite the animal’s numerous attempts to fling him by tossing its head or shrugging the hump. “You deserve gold for your spectacular display,” the commentator added.
The thrilling event saw many tamers dauntlessly holding onto the bull’s hump and letting it go after some time.
A total of 464 bulls were released at the end of the fifth round which saw nearly 275 animals refusing to be tamed. As many as 189 bulls yielded when the tamers overpowered them.
Of the 32 injured, 17 were tamers and 14 were bull owners, an official said. Among them, five persons were admitted to hospital with simple injuries.
A few foreigners, including those from the Netherlands, and Japan were among the spectators who witnessed the bull-taming sport from close quarters.
Palamedu and Alanganallur, marking the grand finale, are the other two centres where the bull-taming events would be held on January 16 and 17 respectively. The winner – the best among men and bull, too, will get a car, tractor, and other attractive prizes.
State Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister P Moorthi inaugurated the sport in the presence of Madurai district Collector Pravin Kumar and other senior officials.
Over 2,200 police personnel have been deployed for security.
Earlier, the participating bulls were thoroughly screened at a medical camp to ascertain if they were drugged. “Four bulls were rejected on health grounds. We found them anxious, salivating, or detected a rise in temperature and dehydration. The tests were performed based on the SOP laid down in 2017,” a veterinarian told PTI.
The veterinarians checked the animals to see if oil was applied on their back or whether their horns sharpened. “We also performed an alcohol test for the bulls,” the veterinarian, who was part of the 69-member medial team, added.
The health of the male participants was also screened before they stepped into the arena situated near the Bhadrakali Amman Temple on Thiruparankundram Road in Avaniyapuram, Madurai.
A digital scoreboard was put up at the venue for the first time by the district administration. PTI JSP JSP KH
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