Jallikattu - Traditional Tamil Bull Fighting

Jallikattu is an ancient Tamil tradition involving the taming of wild bulls. Usually held during the Pongal celebration of Tamil Nadu, normally on January 15 of every year, Jallikattu participants try to tame wild bulls by handling them by their horns. The prize is tied to the horns of the bull and claimed by taming it. The practice is believed to be thousands of years old based on rock paintings of the event found in Tamil Nadu.

Although held in various villages across Tamil Nadu, the one held in Alanganallur near Madurai is the most popular. Unlike the bull fighting in other countries, the bulls in Jallikattu are not killed. Instead, it is the participants who occasionally get hurt or even die. Despite efforts by the Indian government to outlaw Jallikattu because of the dangers to participants, Tamils have persisted in continuing the practice.