Jallikattu: Tamil Nadu’s Ancient Bull-Taming Tradition

Unlike Spain’s bullfighting, Jallikattu is not about killing the bull but celebrating its strength and spirit. A centuries-old sport from Tamil Nadu, it showcases courage, agility, and the deep bond between man and animal.

The name comes from sallikaasu (coins) and kattu (package), once tied to the bull’s horns as prize money. The animal is released through a narrow gate, the vaadivaasal, into the arena, where men try to cling to its hump. Victory demands balance, speed, and nerves of steel—failure can mean injury, sometimes even death.

Traditionally part of Pongal, the harvest festival in January, Jallikattu is celebrated across districts like Madurai, Trichy, Pudukkottai, and Sivaganga. In Madurai, the festival unfolds in sequence: Avaniyapuram on day one, Palamedu on day two, and the legendary Alanganallur on day three—immortalised in the 1980 Rajnikanth classic Murattu Kaalai.

A warm welcome to all those who have come to witness Jallikattu

I had the opportunity to witness Jallikattu in all three villages of Madurai in 2014, just before the sport was banned. Following intense cultural debates, the ban was lifted in 2017, allowing the festival to return in its full traditional spirit.

The rules are simple yet demanding. When a bull is released from the vaadivaasal,

A bull is released from the vaadivaasal,

The first participant to grab its hump earns the right to compete.

To win, he must hold on until the bull covers a fixed distance.If the bull instead circles within the arena to throw off the player, holding on for three full circles secures victory.

Each bull carries its own reputation, and the organisers announce the stakes accordingly before the release. If no one succeeds in taming the animal, the prize is awarded to the bull’s owner—an honour in itself, underscoring the prestige and pride associated with rearing a strong, untameable bull.

A Champion

A anxious looking trainer hoping his Bull wins

A happy trainer as his bull remains untamed

A winner carrying away his prize

These Bulls wanted to decide who was the champion of champions

 Copyright: Shivram Subramaniam