Tiruchy jallikattu hero takes final bow leaving fans in tears

The villagers mourned its death and conducted the funeral in an honourable manner here on Monday.

The bull was purchased by the Ondikaruppu Samy temple in 2007 for Rs one lakh. Pirattiyur people believed that it is the command of the temple God to rear an indigenous bull in the temple. The bull was also named after their God Ondikaruppu. 

“Though Ondikaruppu was famous in Sivagangai as an untamed bull, we gave special training in the temple as it must be given the first honour in every jallikattu organised during the temple festival,” T Ondiraj, the State secretary Tamil Nadu Jallikattu Paadhugappu Nala Sangam told DT Next. 

After coming to Tiruchy, Ondikaruppu participated in atleast 300 jallikattu events, but no one could tame the animal till now. Meanwhile, the sturdy bull became sick due to aging (according to Ondiraj, 22 years of a bull is equal to that of a 100 year for human) and was given treatment by a team of veterinary doctors. However, the condition of Ondikaruppu deteriorated in the last 10 days and on Monday, Ondikaruppu breathed its last. 

The jallikattu has no meaning in the Central region without the participation of Ondikaruppu. The majestic jump of this bull is very famous among the people as well as the bull tamers. And so, the jallikattu organisers of Sooriyur in Tiruchy uploaded its participation and its signature jump in the YouTube. The video received more than two lakh ‘likes’.