IN PICS | Traditional Bull Taming Sport Of Jallikattu On 'Mattu Pongal'

Since January 8, the traditional bull-taming sport of jallikattu has been held throughout Tamil Nadu. On January 16, the day of 'Mattu Pongal,' the event took place in various regions of the state.

A bull sprints through the arena during the annual bull-taming sport of Jallikattu played to celebrate the harvest festival of Pongal

While the Supreme Court considers a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the law allowing the practise of jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, the year's first jallikattu was held on January 8 at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukottai district. (Image Source: PTI)

The season's inaugural event was held on January 15, the day of Pongal, in Madurai district, where jallikattu started during Pongal festival. 737 bulls and 257 bull tamers competed in the 11 rounds of the tournament. Vijay of Solai Alagupuram was chosen as the best bull tamer after successfully taming 28 bulls. Two of the 75 people that were injured were critically injured, as per reports. (Image Source: PTI)

On January 16, the day of 'Mattu Pongal' jallikattu,' jallikattu is held in Palamedu village in Madurai district and Suriyur village in Tiruchy district. Aravind Raj, a 26-year-old bull tamer, was gored to death during the Palamedu jallikattu, according to reports. (Image Source: PTI)

The Thatchankurichi jallikattu, which was originally scheduled for January 6, was postponed at the last minute due to inspections by Pudukottai District Collector Kavitha Ramu, who cited poor security arrangements. (Image Source: PTI)

"At a time when the jallikattu matter was being considered in the Supreme Court, every slightest mistake would influence holding the event all over the State," Law Minister S. Regupathy remarked as protests erupted. (Image Source: PTI)

Jallikattu, also known as 'Eru Thazhuvuthal' and 'Mancuvirattu,' began in full swing on Sunday in three villages of Tamil Nadu's Madurai. (Image Source: PTI)

The event takes place on Mattu Pongal, which coincides with the Pongal celebrations. It is a local bull-taming sport in which a competitor grabs the bull by the horns and tame it as it tries to shrug him off. On Monday and Tuesday, there will be further Jallikattu events at Palamedu and Alanganallur. A Jallikattu event is limited to 300 bull tamers and 150 spectators. (Image Source: PTI)