Chennai8 minutes ago
Jallikattu is celebrated as part of the Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu.
The first Jallikattu of 2025 in Tamil Nadu has started in Thachankurichi village of Gandarvakottai taluk of Pudukkottai. This time, more than 600 bulls from districts like Trichy, Dindigul, Manapparai, Pudukkottai and Sivagangai have been included in Jallikattu.
At the same time, 350 participants will try to tame the bulls. State government ministers Raghupathi, Meynathan and Collector Aruna inaugurated the program at Thachankurichi village.
More than 200 policemen are on security duty in Thachankurichi. Besides, 7 medical teams with 25 employees have also been deployed by the Animal Husbandry Department.
Pudukkottai is known for hosting the highest number of Vadivasals (entry points for bulls) and the highest number of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.
Before the event, participants were medically examined and identity cards were issued. In each round, 30 participants are trying to control aggressive bulls.
See the first day of Jallikattu in pictures
The players took the oath before the start of the game in Thachankurichi.
The first 30 players trying to catch the bulls at Thachankurichi on the first day.
What is Jallikattu and why is it celebrated? Bulls have been a part of faith and tradition for the people of Tamil Nadu for about 2500 years. People here celebrate Pongal festival every year on the day of Makar Sankranti after the crops ripen in the fields. Pongal in Tamil means surge or boiling.
On this day they start the new year. Bulls are worshiped on the last day of this three-day long festival. They are decorated and decorated. Then Jallikattu starts. It is also known as Eru Thazhuvuthal and Mankuvirattu. This game is a part of Pongal festival.
It is a game in which a bull is released into the crowd. People taking part in this game try to control the bull by holding its hump. The one who holds the hump of several bulls for the longest time is the winner.
The history of Jallikattu dates back to 400-100 BC, when the Ayars, an ethnic group in India, played it. Its name is made up of two words – Jalli (silver and gold coins) and Kattu (tied).
In Jallikattu, when the bull dies, the players shave their heads and hold a funeral feast.
The people of Tamil Nadu consider the bull to be the vehicle of Lord Shiva. Let’s worship him. For them the bull is like a brother and father. After his death, condolence messages are sent to his relatives. His dead body is decorated with flowers. Like humans, they take out a funeral procession and bury them at a sacred place.
After returning home they shave their heads. The people of the village are given a funeral feast. After a few days, a temple of that bull is also built and worshiped every year.
