Jallikattu

Jallikattu

Jallikattu (Tamil: சல்லிகட்டு) or Eruthazhuvuthal (Tamil: ஏறுதழுவல்) or Manju Virattu (Tamil: மஞ்சு விரட்டு) is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations usually on Mattu Pongal day. This is one of the oldest living ancient sports seen in the modern era. Although it sounds similar to the Spanish running of the bulls, it is quite different. In Jallikattu, the bull is not killed and the 'matadors' are not supposed to use any weapon. It is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu as a part of the village festival. The festivals are held from January to July, every year. Jallikattu's been played first in Palamedu,a village located near madurai on January 15 which was getting famous in recent years followed by the world-famous "Alanganallur-Jallikattu" in Alanganallur, another village near Madurai on 16 January. There is specific breed of cattle bred for this purpose which are called by two common name, Jellicut and from the place of a big breeder Pulikulam (புலிகுளம்).

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