Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport that is primarily played in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as a part of the Pongal harvest festival. The term “Jallikattu” comes from the Tamil words “salli” (coins) and “kattu” (tied), which refers to the practice of tying coins to the bull’s horns.
During the festival, young men try to grab the bull’s hump and ride it for as long as they can. The bulls that are selected for the game are specially bred for their strength and agility. They are treated with great care and respect by the farmers who own them.
The event usually takes place in a large open field or stadium, where the bull is released from a pen and chased by the participants. The objective of the game is to grab the bull’s hump and hold on to it until the bull stops running. The participants are not allowed to use any weapons or ropes, and they must rely solely on their physical strength and agility to control the bull.
Anyway, it is really difficult to describe the emotion one feels in front of such a popular festival crowd. I took many pictures but it was even difficult to stop the gaze. Little by little I will add more photos to make this story even more personal.
