Pongal 2025: All you need to know about Jallikattu and top venues to watch the bull taming sport in Tamil Nadu
Jallikattu has a long history in Tamil Nadu and dates back at least 2,500 years. Tamers have to control the bull by holding on to its hump. Typically, only one tamer is allowed to tame a bull at one time.

It is Pongal season in Tamil Nadu, and the state is in the midst of celebrating the harvest festival by thanking the Sun and Mother Nature. It is also the time for Jallikattu, the controversial bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu, which is intertwined with the Pongal celebrations.
When is Jallikattu held
While Jallikattu competitions start well ahead of Pongal, the most important and high-profile ones happen on the third day of the festival, also known as Mattu Pongal.
CREDIT: BCCL
In 2025, the first Jallikattu event was held on January 4, in Thatchankurichi village, Pudukkottai district, which saw the participation of over 600 bulls and 350 tamers.
Rule of Jallikattu
Jallikattu has a long history in Tamil Nadu and dates back at least 2,500 years. The rules of Jallikattu are simple: tame the bull. Bulls are let loose into an arena from their enclosures, where tamers wait. Tamers have to control the bull by holding on to its hump. Typically, only one tamer is allowed to tame a bull at one time, and moves including holding on to the animal's horns are banned.
CREDIT: BCCL
Depending on the venue, the participants have to hold onto the raging animal's hump for 15 metres or 30 seconds to be considered the bull tamed.
The tamer with the most number of tames under his belt is declared the winner, and the reward could range from prize money to bikes, cars, or gold.
CREDIT: BCCL
How Jallikattu bulls are trained
Given the high stakes and prestige involved in Jallikattu, the bulls undergo months of special training, including swimming, long walks, and strength training to prepare them for the sport. The Jallikattu bulls also have a high maintenance cost, as their diet consists of cotton seed, wheat husk, and raw rice.
CREDIT: BCCL
Jallikattu and animal abuse controversy
Jallikattu has been opposed by animal rights groups for a very long time, alleging that the bulls are abused by their owners and tamers during the sport. The years of scrutiny and legal challenges have resulted in the sport now shedding a lot of its old, controversial practices to comply with laws.
Most famous Jallikattu events
The most famous Jallikattu competitions in Tamil Nadu include Avaniyapuram Jallikattu on January 14, Palamedu Jallikattu on January 15, and Alanganallur Jallikattu on January 16.
Tamil Nadu: The Avaniyapuram Jallikattu in Madurai has begun with great enthusiasm, with 1,100 bulls and 900 bull tamers participating. The first round is complete, and the second round has started. 120 bulls have been inspected, and five have been rejected pic.twitter.com/6bppjIyy3w
¡ª IANS (@ians_india) January 14, 2025
Avaniyapuram Jallikattu
The Avaniyapuram Jallikattu will feature 1,100 bulls and 900 bull-tamers. The best tamer in Avaniyapuram will take home an award of a car worth INR 8 lakh, while the owner of the best bull will be awarded a tractor worth INR 11 lakh.
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