Jallikattu kicks off at Palamedu, Udhayanidhi Stalin flags off event

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday officially flagged off the jallikattu event at the Manjamalai Riverbed in Palamedu , near Madurai. Considered one of the major cultural events in Tamil Nadu, jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport held during Pongal . Over the years, it has drawn attention not only as a sporting spectacle but also due to legal battles and political debates . While the Supreme Court of India had banned the sport citing animal welfare concerns, widespread protests by farmers and cultural activists led the state government to pass a law allowing it under strict safety measures. Since then, jallikattu has become a symbol of Tamil pride and politics .

This year’s event at Palamedu marks the second of the three major Pongal jallikattu events, following the high-octane opening at Avaniyapuram. Officials report that over 1,000 bulls and nearly 500 tamers are participating. A massive bandobast has been deployed to manage the crowds, with more than 2,000 police personnel, medical teams, and safety measures in place.

As in previous years, the top tamer and the owner of the best bull will win a car and a tractor , respectively, prizes sponsored by the DMK leadership . On the opening day at Avaniyapuram, Balamurugan from Valayankulam tamed 22 bulls to win the Chief Minister’s prize, while G R Karthik secured second place with 17 bulls, winning a motorcycle. The bull owned by the Virumandi Brothers , which stubbornly evaded all tamers, was declared the best bull and awarded a tractor.

Medical teams reported that 57 people, including 27 tamers and 9 spectators, sustained injuries during the first day of this year’s jallikattu season at Avaniyapuram , with 11 individuals requiring specialized care at Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital .

The grand finale of the jallikattu season is scheduled at Alanganallur on January 17 and will be inaugurated by Chief Minister M K Stalin . Preparations include reinforced vaadivasal (entry points) and special galleries to accommodate a significant number of international tourists.