A participant tries to tame a bull during the Avaniapuram jallikattu in Madurai on Thursday
| Photo Credit: G. Moorthy
Avaniapuram jallikattu, the first major bull-taming event of the Pongal season in Madurai, held on Thursday (January 15, 2026), was largely free of adverse incidents, though nearly 60 people, including bull-tamers and spectators, sustained minor injuries.
The event was flagged off by Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P. Moorthy, at around 7.15 a.m., in the presence of Madurai Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar, Commissioner of Police J. Loganathan, Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan, Madurai South MLA M. Boominathan, Thirupparankundram MLA V.V. Rajan Chellappa, Deputy Mayor T. Nagarajan, and other officials. The bull-tamers took an oath for a safe jallikattu event.
As many as 937 bulls and 568 bull-tamers participated in the 12 rounds of the event
| Photo Credit:
G. Moorthy
As many as 937 bulls and 568 bull-tamers participated in the 12 rounds of the event. The participants underwent medical checkups and bulls underwent fitness tests to take part in the event. A digital scoreboard was introduced to ensure transparency.
The event concluded at around 7 p.m. Balamurugan of Valayankulam was adjudged the best bull-tamer at the event. He won the first prize, a car, for taming 22 bulls. Karthik of Avaniapuram who tamed 17 bulls was adjudged the second-best bull-tamer. He received a motorcycle as prize.
A bull belonging to the Virumandi brothers of Avaniapuram was adjudged the best bull. The bull owners received a tractor. The bull owned by G.R. Karthik Velu was adjudged the second-best bull. A gold coin was awarded to him.
Adequate police personnel were deployed at the venue to ensure the safety of people. A team of Indian Red Cross Society volunteers assisted the participants who were injured and Animal Husbandry Department officials examined the bulls. Ambulances and fire engines were also deployed at the venue.
The winners and participants were awarded prizes that ranged from gold coins, silver coins, almirahs, travel bags, chairs, and utensils. The action now moves to Palamedu jallikattu on January 16 and the world famous jallikattu at Alanganallur on January 17.
Published – January 16, 2026 11:00 am IST
