Jallikattu: Thousands gather at popular bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu

Event is part of harvest festival of Pongal on the Avaniyapuram outskirts of Madurai

Last updated: January 16, 2020 | 16:32

ANI and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Digital Content Producer

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Around 700 bulls participated in the Jallikattu competition in Madurai's Palamedu on Thursday.

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It is organised in rural areas of Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal, the harvest festival.

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday had refused to entertain a plea challenging the Madras High Court order for conducting Jallikattu in various districts of Tamil Nadu, under supervision of monitoring committees headed by a retired district judge.

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Madurai District collector had said that those below the age of 21 will not be allowed to participate in Jallikattu to be held at Palamedu and Alanganallur.

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730 bulls in Avaniyapuram and 700 bulls in Alanganallur are participating in the competitions this year.

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The Supreme Court (SC) in 2014 banned 'Jallikattu' after a plea was filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) but the state government insisted that Jallikattu was a crucial part of its culture and identity.

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The ban was later lifted in January 2017 with an amendment to the law after massive protests in Chennai.

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A bull stands as he is surrounded by participants.

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A participant tries to control a bull.

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A participant tries to control a bull.

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A participant tries to control a bull.

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Participants tryto control a bull

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Yougsters try to tame a bull.

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Villagers try to control a bull.

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A participant tries to control a bull.

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Participants try to control bulls.

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