This year’s first jallikattu event in Tamil Nadu was held at Thatchankurichi village of Pudukottai district on January 3, 2026 (Saturday) marking the commencement of the sporting season in the State. More than 450 bulls were unleashed into the arena while nearly 200 young men competed to tame them.
Following it, Avaniapuram village in Madurai district hosted the next jallikattu, on the day of Pongal festival on January 15 (Thursday). For the first time, a digital scoreboard was introduced to ensure transparency. Balamurugan of Valayankulam in Madurai district was adjudged the best bull-tamer for taming 22 bulls, winning a car.
On the day of Maattu Pongal (January 16), ‘jallikattu’ is being held at Palamedu village in Madurai district and at Suriyur village in Tiruchi district. At Suriyur, the jallikattu is being held in a newly-constructed permanent arena.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is set to inaugurate the world-famous Alanganallur jallikattu in Madurai district on January 17 (Saturday).
Photo:
R. Vengadesh
Young tamers jostle to get a hold of a bull released from the ‘vaadivaasal’ at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukkottai district on January 3, 2026.
Photo:
G. Moorthy
A participant attempts to tame a decorated bull during the ‘jallikattu’ at Avaniapuram in Madurai district on January 15, 2026. The event that began at 7 a.m. went on for nearly 12 hours as it concluded around 7 p.m.
Photo:
M. Moorthy
As a bull springs up in air, young participants try to tame it during the ‘jallikattu’ at held at Periya Suriyur in Tiruchi district on January 16, 2026
Photo:
G. Moorthy
A group of young tamers compete to get hold of a bull that charges through the crow at Avaniapuram in Madurai on January 15, 2026.
Photo:
G. Moorthy
Tamers try to scale the makeshift gallery when a ‘jallikattu’ bull that was unleashed from ‘vaadivaasal’ turns back waiting to charge at them at Avaniapuram village in Madurai on January 15, 2026.
Photo:
M. Moorthy
The newly-constructed permanent ‘jallikattu’ arena at Suriyur village hosted Tiruchi district’s first bull-taming event this year, on January 16, 2025 following inauguration by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin the previous day.
Photo:
G. Moorthy
A scene at Avaniapuram jallikattu in Madurai on January 15, 2026. The event was largely free of adverse incidents, though nearly 60 people including bull-tamers and spectators sustained minor injuries.
Photo:
G. Moorthy
A ‘jallikattu’ bull tries to escape from the grip of a tamer who managed to hold its hump at Avaniapuram in Madurai on January 15, 2026
Photo:
M. Moorthy
Tamers chase a bull as it charges out of ‘vaadivaasal’ during ‘jallikattu’ at Periya Suriyur in Tiruchi district on January 16, 2026
Photo:
G. Moorthy
While the rest of the participants try to move away and climb heights, a brave tamer manages to hold a bull that jumps up in air at Avaniapuram in Madurai on January 15, 2026
Photo:
G. Moorthy
As many as 937 bulls and 568 bull-tamers participated in the 12 rounds of the jallikattu event conducted at Avaniapuram in Madurai district on January 15, 2026
Published – January 16, 2026 04:56 pm IST
