Madurai: Avaniyapuram Jallikattu, a hallmark event of Tamil Nadu’s Pongal celebrations, kicked off on Tuesday with great fervour and excitement. This traditional bull-taming sport, officially organised by the Tamil Nadu government, brought the city of Madurai to life as bulls and tamers competed fiercely.
Grand Scale Participation and Tight Coordination
The event saw participation from 1,100 bulls and 900 bull-tamers, who underwent mandatory medical screenings. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced exciting prizes for the winners, including a tractor for the best bull owner and a Nissan car for the best bull-tamer. In addition, participants competed for gold and silver coins, household appliances, and bicycles. To ensure safety and smooth operations, 2,000 police personnel were deployed, and stringent regulations were enforced by the Madurai police for participants and spectators.
The Competitions: Key Highlights
The event, inaugurated by Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister Murthy and presided over by Madurai District Collector Sangeetha, witnessed six thrilling rounds. The first round began with 75 tamers, with notable performances setting the tone for the day.
Round Highlights:
Round 1: Out of 73 bulls, 11 were tamed. Two tamers, Manikandan from Avaniyapuram and Sujithkumar from Karadikkal qualified for the finals after taming two bulls each.
Round 2: 82 bulls participated, with 22 tamed. Six tamers advanced to the finals, including Satheeshkumar from Samayanallur, Vignesh, and others who showcased exceptional skill. Tanjore's Vellakkal Ilaiyarani’s bull emerging victorious, earning the owner a special prize from Minister Murthy. Similarly, a bull owned by Senthamizh Selvi from Salem won a wardrobe as a prize.
Challenges and Incidents
Despite the grandeur, the event witnessed several dramatic moments:
21 Injuries Reported: This included one spectator injured when a bull charged into the crowd. All were provided medical care.
Bull Triumphs: Keerathurai resident Saba Rathinam’s bull jumped over the arena barricades, causing chaos before being declared a winner and awarded a bicycle.
Disputes: A scuffle broke out when a young bull owner attacked tamers who subdued his bull, leading to intervention by fellow tamers.
Unique Incidents: In the fifth round, a bull that exited the arena returned to lie down at the starting point, causing a delay. It was eventually led away by the police.
Bull Screening and Disqualifications
By 2 PM, 659 bulls had passed the medical screening, while 25 were disqualified for failing to meet the standards. The strict adherence to protocols ensured fair play and safety for participants and animals alike.
Upcoming Events
Minister Murthy expressed satisfaction with the smooth organisation and announced that the Pallamedu Jallikattu would take place tomorrow, followed by the Alanganallur Jallikattu on the day after. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is expected to attend the grand finale, adding to the excitement.
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