Jallikattu 2025 in India

India's southern state, Tamil Nadu, annually holds a spectacle of bull taming, which is a key part of the harvest festival. The earliest evidence of this event has been featured in ancient Indian cave paintings and iconography. During Jallikattu, a Zebo (Bos indicus bull) is released into a crowd of men who are trying to stop and take the beast. Bos indicus bulls are usually bred specially for the event.

Festival Highlights

Jallikattu, a traditional sport from Tamil Nadu, is celebrated during Mattu Pongal on the third day of the Pongal festival, typically falling on January 16. The origins of this bull-taming event trace back to around 400-100 BCE, during the era of the Ayars, an ancient Indian ethnic group. The term "Jallikattu" derives from two Tamil words: "Jalli," meaning silver or gold coins, and "Kattu," meaning tied.

In this daring competition, a bull is released among a crowd, and participants aim to tame it by holding onto its hump or running alongside it. The bull's horns are tied with coins, and whoever can subdue the bull earns the prize. The sport typically features the Pulikulam or Kangayam breed of bulls, known for their strength and agility. Bulls that perform well in the festival are highly prized and can command top prices, often used for breeding purposes as well.

Debate Surrounding Jallikattu

Jallikattu has faced significant controversy due to incidents of injury and death involving both participants and the bulls used in the sport. Animal rights organizations have consistently called for a ban, citing concerns over the welfare of the animals. As a result, the Supreme Court of India has imposed several bans on Jallikattu over the years. However, protests from local communities and supporters of the tradition led to the passing of a new ordinance in 2017, which allowed the sport to continue under specific regulations. Despite the legal battles, Jallikattu remains a deeply rooted cultural event in Tamil Nadu, drawing strong public support for its preservation.

Places to Witness the Festival

Alanganallur, Avaniapuram, and Palamedu are three of the most famous venues for Jallikattu in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. These towns, located near each other, host the traditional bull-taming contest during the Pongal festival, drawing thousands of spectators. Alanganallur is particularly renowned for its large-scale events, but Avaniapuram and Palamedu are also key locations where the sport is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The festivals are held with much fanfare, where both locals and visitors come together to watch the contest between man and beast​.