1,002 Bulls and 497 Tamers Compete in India Tradition

Thousands gathered before dawn in Alanganallur, India to witness one of the country's most storied cultural traditions: jallikattu, where skilled tamers face off against powerful bulls in a test of courage and agility.

The event, held during the Pongal harvest festival, brought together 1,002 bulls and 497 tamers for 11 rounds of competition that lasted from 7 a.m. until evening. Spectators perched on rooftops and packed galleries to watch, with visitors traveling from across India and around the world to experience the spectacle.

Karthi of Karuppayurani emerged as the day's champion tamer, successfully handling 19 bulls and winning a car as his prize. Abi Sithar came in second with 17 bulls tamed, taking home a motorcycle. The competition recognized not just the human participants but also honored the bulls themselves, with AVM Babu's bull from Pudukkottai district winning top honors and earning its owner a tractor.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin attended the celebration, personally presenting gold rings and coins to winners. The gesture highlighted how deeply this tradition remains woven into Tamil culture, drawing support from the highest levels of government.

All participants underwent medical checkups before competing, and bulls received fitness tests to ensure their wellbeing. About 60 people sustained minor injuries during the event, a relatively small number given the scale and intensity of the competition.

The Ripple Effect

The festival represents far more than sport. It serves as a gathering point for communities spread across rural Tamil Nadu, bringing together farmers, breeders, and families who maintain centuries-old connections to these animals. The tradition helps preserve native bull breeds that might otherwise disappear, as farmers take pride in raising strong, healthy animals worthy of competition.

The generous prizes, from tractors to gold coins to household items, provide meaningful economic support to rural communities. For many participants, these rewards represent months or years of careful breeding and training paying off.

This year's successful event continues a cultural revival that began when the practice was legally protected following massive public protests. What outsiders might view simply as competition, locals understand as living heritage passed down through generations.

The crowds that filled Alanganallur before sunrise showed a community celebrating its identity, honoring both the courage of tamers and the strength of bulls in a tradition that connects past to present.