Jallikkattu Bull Fight: Still An Attraction!

This year's Jallikkattu bull fight festival also attracted thousands of people to Madurai district of Tamilnadu, on Jan 16. It is the traditional sport of the state by which the contestant try to tame the ferocious cattles. The festival is still considered as a cruelty to the animals in the names of traditional practices. The beasts are always subjected to physical tortures, though may not lost their lives in the battle.

Ten of thousands of people attended the festival conducted in Alanganallur of Madurai, this year. It also attracted a lot of foreigners as usual. So many politicians and celebrities also came for the bull fight. The Central Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers M. K Azhagiri, is one among them.

This year's festival was strictly constrained with in the new guidelines administered by the Supreme Court. Court mainly restrict the cruelty cited to the animals. Though the court gave permission to conduct the event, it had given certain strict instructions which the coordinators should follow strictly. The court also restricts certain practices which enrage the bulls, but have been traditional in the practices.

The horns of the bulls are made wet before the most popular festival and the body is stroked with oil which makes it difficult to hold it on to. They are also drugged with steroids and sometimes alcohol too, which outrages them.

This year, the organizers consisted of a thirty members team who carefully convince a strict check up for the animals, to make sure that they have not been anesthetized with drugs or smeared with oil over their body. More than 500 people participated the fight this time, to catch the bulls in the game.

The thrilling event is well-known and appreciated for the adventure it gives for the spectators, who include both locals and foreigners. It is considered as the prominent event of Tamil Dravidian culture, the heart of the Tamil culture, says the Belgium tourist Francis. He also says that the culture of the Tamil people will be brought to an end, if this traditional festival is cut off by the legal procedures.

According to the Tamils, it is considered as their annual cultural event. The cattle is being trained for the last 15 years, just to participate in the event, says Murugan, a local resident. His bull has been taking part in the fight and winning the gold prize, each year.

The bull-taming festival is also held as the thanksgiving ritual for the cattle which have helped the farmers in their business, all through the year. The cloth bag containing money, are tied between the horn of the cattle. This is considered as a reward for them.