800 bulls, 350 tamers take part in Pudukkottai Thachankurichi jallikattu, 5 injured

The event is usually held on January 2 every year. However, this season it was postponed to January 14 due to various reasons. Notwithstanding the postponement, people from across the central districts thronged the venue as it was reportedly the first official jallikattu in the region. Official estimates put the spectators’ number around 15,000.

Totally, 800 bulls, all certified by a team of veterinarians, and 350 tamers, after due medical examination, were allowed to participate in the event.

The organisers, who ensured that the rules were followed strictly, kept on reminding the tamers about the court’s directive. They also ensured that the arena was properly barricaded.

Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar inaugurated the event around 8.30 am, following which the temple bull was allowed into the arena. The other bulls were then permitted through the ‘vadivasal’ one-by-one.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that a mega jallikattu event will be organised at Viralimalai on January 20. “The Viralimalai event, which will witness participation of 2,000 bulls, will be an attempt to set Guinness world record for the largest jallikattu,” he said.

Meanwhile, five persons, including Perumal (49) from Thachankurichi, Vettrivel (24), a bull owner from Bhuthalur in Thanjavur district, Jesuraj (55) and Swaminathan (44) both from Thachankurichi, sustained injuries.

Perumal and Vettrivel, whose condition was said to be serious, were then taken to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. Meanwhile, CM Edappadi K Palaniswami is expected to inaugurate the jallikattu event in Alanganallur on January 17.