About Jallikattu

About Jallikattu

Jallikattu, also called Eru Thazhuvuthal, is the bull festival of Tamil Nadu. It is held during Pongal, mostly on Mattu Pongal, the day Tamil homes thank their cattle. The name comes from salli kasu, coins tied to the bull's horns as a prize.

Families raise native bulls such as Kangayam, Pulikulam and Umbalachery like members of the house. On the day, each bull is bathed, its horns are painted, and it wears bells and garlands. One by one the bulls run out of the vaadi vasal, the entry gate, and young men try to hold on to the hump for a short stretch. A bull that no one can hold is the winner and brings great pride to its family and village.

The sport is very old. Sangam poems speak of it, and old rock paintings near Madurai show men and bulls. Today it runs under state rules, with vets checking every bull and every player before the event.

The best known events are at Avaniyapuram, Palamedu and Alanganallur near Madurai, held one after another over Pongal. Smaller village events go on through January and February. For many Tamils, Jallikattu stands for love of the land, native cattle and their own culture.