 |
| Jallikattu Tamil Nadu thehindu.com |
Above image: A bull charging out out of the ‘vadivasal’ as youngsters attempt to tame it during the jallikattu at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukkottai district recently January 3, 2026.......
 |
| Jallikattu, TN thehindu.com |
Above image: Taming the ferocious bull by courageous and traine youngsters during the jallikattu event at Thatchankurichi village in Gandharvakottai of Pudukkottai district recently on January 3, 2026; above images photo credit -R. Vengadesh
Mattu Pongal, celebrated on the third day of the four-day Pongal festival in the Tamil month of Thai (usually 15 January), is a unique thanksgiving ritual in Tamil Nadu that honors the cattle — cows and bulls — essential to agrarian life. Pongal itself marks the harvest of new grains and is a time of abundance and community sharing. On Mattu Pongal, cattle are bathed, decorated with kolams (designs), garlands, and turmeric, and worshipped as acknowledged partners in human sustenance. Cows symbolize nourishment through milk and other dairy products, while bulls are revered for their indispensable role in plowing fields, carrying produce, and driving traditional implements such as the mara chekku oil press that prevailed before mechanization. This celebration expresses gratitude and a prayer for prosperity and the well-being of both animals and humans alike.
 |
| Jallikattu. readersdigest.in |
 |
| Tamil Nadu, Jallikattu. akamaihd.net |
Central to Mattu Pongal, however, is Jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport deeply rooted in Tamil culture, history, and rural identity. The name “Jallikattu” reflects the essence of the contest: participants attempt to grasp and hold on to the running bull’s hump or horns to demonstrate bravery, strength, and agility. Archaeological evidence suggests practices like these have existed for millennia in the region, forming an ancient component of harvest celebrations.
In recent years, Jallikattu has stood at the crossroads of cultural preservation and public safety, as well as animal welfare concerns. The event was banned by courts in the past under animal protection laws, leading to significant protests across Tamil Nadu given its cultural significance and perceived role in preserving native cattle breeds. In response, the Tamil Nadu government amended laws to legalize its conduct with regulations, and the Supreme Court upheld these provisions in 2023, allowing Jallikattu and similar events to continue as traditional sports.
 |
| Pongal India Stamp 2006. iStampGallery.Com |
During the 2026 Pongal season, Jallikattu events began in Madurai district with about 1,100 bulls and roughly 550 bull tamers registered, reflecting the enduring popularity of the sport. The three major competitions are held at Avaniyapuram, Palamedu, and Alanganallur, with heavy police and administrative oversight to ensure safety and order.
Organizers have also recently introduced LED scoreboards and enhanced transparency measures at the events to display performance data like tamers’ names, minutes of play, and bulls’ records — an innovation aimed at fairness and accountability. Additionally, some districts like Suriyur near Trichy have constructed permanent arenas with spectator seating and safety infrastructure, signaling efforts to professionalize and make these events safer for participants and audiences alike.
Despite modernization and regulatory efforts, Jallikattu continues to carry risks, and debates persist over its future — balancing cultural heritage with welfare and safety. Yet, Mattu Pongal and Jallikattu remain vibrant expressions of Tamil Nadu’s agrarian values, community bonds, and age-old traditions that honor both humans and the animals that sustain them.
Wilson, Horace Hayman; Reinhold Rost (1862). Essays and lectures on the religions of the Hindus, Volume 2. Mattu Pongal. Trüber & Co. pp. 170–173. Retrieved 2009-12-26.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/jallikattu-focus-on-safety-measures/article22364549.ece
K. N. Jayaraman
