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Jallikattu: Bulls Charge, Men Tame in Indian Harvest Festival
21 Jan
Summary
- Jallikattu is a centuries-old tradition celebrating valor and skill during the Pongal harvest festival.
- Participants win by holding onto a bull for 30 seconds or 15 meters.
- Animal rights concerns led to a ban, later exempted by new legislation in 2017.
In Avaniyapuram, India, the annual Pongal harvest festival features Jallikattu, a centuries-old tradition of bull taming. Crowds gather before dawn to witness dozens of men display valor by attempting to hold onto charging bulls.
Participants aim to cling to the bull for three jumps, 30 seconds, or a distance of 15 meters to win prizes ranging from household goods to a car. Champions like Manikanda Prabhu, who claims thousands of wins, achieve renown beyond material rewards.
While animal rights activists petitioned for a ban in 2014 due to cruelty concerns, new legislation in 2017 exempted Jallikattu from these laws. Unlike similar events elsewhere, bulls are carefully tended to after the competition, ensuring their readiness for future Jallikattu contests.
