Youth gored to death during Jallikattu
A youth who had come to see Jallikattu, the traditional bull taming sport, was gored to death in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district, the police said on Monday.
Kalimuthu, from Dindigul district, suffered serious injuries when a bull attacked him while he was near the counter. Around 25 others were injured in the event at Palamedu in Madurai, about 500km from Chennai.
Jallikattu is part of Pongal festivities in Tamil Nadu.
Around 455 bulls participated in the event at Palamedu that began in the morning. The rules of the sport say a bull tamer will be awarded a prize if he hangs on to the hump of the animal for a certain period of time.
On Tuesday, Jallikattu would be held at Madurai’s Alanganallur where chief minister K Palaniswami is expected to witness the event and also distribute prizes for the winners.
The Pongal festivities take place over four days, the first day being Bhogi, which was Saturday, when people burn their old clothes, mats and other items. Homes are painted afresh. The second day is the main Pongal festival celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month Thai.
The third day is the Mattu Pongal when bulls and cows are bathed and their horns painted and worshipped as they play an important role in farms. In some parts of the state, Jallikattu is held. The fourth day is the Kannum Pongal — the day to go out and meet relatives and friends, and go sightseeing.
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