Jallikatu Bull Fight

About Jallikatu Bull Fight

When : January
Where : Villages near Madurai, specially Palamedu and Alanganallur.
Also Known as : Eruthazhuvuthal, Manju Virattu

A kind of bull-fight, called the 'Jallikattu' is held in Madhurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore in Tamil Nadu and several places in Andhra Pradesh during Pongal. Bundles containing money are tied to the horns of ferocious bulls, and unarmed villagers try to wrest the bundles from them. Bullock cart races and cock-fights are also held.

The festival owes its origin to the ancient time when the brides selected their groom with the help of this game. The winner of the Jallikattu was selected to be the husband of the girl.

Jallikattu' or bull fight' played in Madurai, Trichy areas are more ferocious than the bull fight which is the beloved sport of Latin speakers in Europe and south America. A basic difference in the two festival is that unlike its European counterpart, the bulls in Jallikattu are not killed. Moroevre, the participants do not use any weapons for the purpose.

Cattle are decorated with garlands, their horns coloured, and mango leyes hung round their necks. Then they are led about in procession exempted from all labour, and virtually, if not actually, worshipped. On this occasion the Jallikattu (bull fight) is held in Al1angunal1ur, near Chennai.