Avaniyapuram jallikattu begins in Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal celebrations. Over 5,000 bulls have been registered to participate in the event.
Avaniyapuram jallikattu began in Tamil Nadu with over 300 bull tamers registering for the event on the day of Pongal. Over 5,000 bulls have been registered to participate in three events on Friday.
The first bull taming event of the year was held in Pudukottai district on January 13. A total of 600 bulls were registered for the event. The organisers had allotted a time frame to each tamer to tame the bull. The winner is decided by the duration a tamer holds on the hump of the bull.
However, when the organisers closed the event the bull tamers who were yet to participate released their bulls into the street, causing panic. They demanded organisers to return the registration money taken from them.
The local police intervened and dispersed the crowd. Even though only 150 spectators were allowed, people gathered in large numbers to witness the traditional sport. Covid vaccination or negative test report is mandatory to attend the event.
The Madras High Court had ordered the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that bulls of native breed are allowed to participate in the Jallikattu events and not foreign or hybrid bulls.
