Jallikattu

Jallikattu is a bull taming sport that is popular in Tamil Nadu- especially in what is called the ‘Jallikattu Belt’ comprising of Madurai, Trichy, Theni, Pudukkottai and Dindigul. It is celebrated during the harvest festival, Pongal. It is a 2,000 year old tradition and is considered as a way for preservation of pure breed native bulls. It is held as a competitive sport- if the contestant successfully tames the bull, he wins the prize and if he fails, the bull owner wins the prize. However, it has also attracted protests from animal rights activists for its violent nature.