Tamil Nadu Minister Meyyanathan Launches Jallikattu in Pudukkottai
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On March 4, Tamil Nadu Minister Siva V. Meyyanathan inaugurated the Jallikattu festival at the Muthumariamman Temple Masit Festival in Kovilur, Pudukkottai. The event features 700 bulls and 300 handlers, attracting significant crowds as participants engage in this ancient bull-taming sport.
Key Takeaways
- Minister Meyyanathan inaugurated the Jallikattu festival.
- 700 bulls and 300 bull handlers are participating.
- The event is part of the Muthumariamman Temple Masit Festival.
- Participants attempt to embrace and tame the bulls.
- Strict safety protocols are in place for both bulls and bullfighters.
Chennai, March 4 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu Backward Classes and Welfare Minister Siva V. Meyyanathan officially inaugurated the Jallikattu festival at the Muthumariamman Temple Masit Festival in Kovilur, located near Alangudi in Pudukkottai district on Tuesday.
The minister commenced the event by reciting the Jallikattu pledge and raising the flag. This year's competition features 700 bulls and 300 bull handlers.
Pudukkottai is recognized as the Tamil Nadu district with the highest number of Vadivasals (bull entry points) and hosts various traditional bull-taming competitions, including Vadamadu and Manjuvirattu.
The district also holds the first Jallikattu event of the year annually in Thachankurichi, with this year's kickoff event having taken place on January 4.
Since then, numerous competitions have occurred across the area. The current Jallikattu event is part of the Muthumariamman Temple Masit Festival in Kovilur, attracting bulls from Madurai, Sivaganga, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Theni, and Ramanathapuram.
The bulls are released sequentially from the Vadivasal, with participants attempting to embrace and tame them. The event is witnessing a significant audience turnout from surrounding regions.
Bullfighters who successfully tame the bulls, along with bulls that perform exceptionally, will be rewarded with prizes such as bicycles, beds, desks, dining tables, silver utensils, pans, mixers, cookers, grinders, gas stoves, silver coins, and cash awards. Strict safety measures are enforced, ensuring that bulls enter only after a thorough medical examination.
Similarly, bullfighters must clear a medical check before being allowed into the competition area. Owners are required to present their tokens and Aadhaar cards for entry. Over 100 police personnel are on duty to maintain security, with various departments, including the Health Department, Revenue Department, and Fire Department, overseeing the event.
Jallikattu, an ancient bull-taming sport, traces its origins back to 400-100 BCE and is celebrated as part of the Pongal festival, especially on Mattu Pongal, the third day of the harvest festival.
The term "Jallikattu" is derived from "Jalli" (silver and gold coins) and "Kattu" (tied). Also referred to as Sallikkattu, the sport involves releasing a bull among a crowd, where participants try to tame it by holding onto its hump. The event showcases traditional bull breeds like Pulikulam and Kangayam, which are highly sought after for breeding if they win.
To further promote the sport, the Jallikattu Premier League was established in 2018 by the Tamil Nadu Jallikattu Peravai and the Chennai Jallikattu Amaippu.
