20 injured in State’s first jallikattu of 2025 in Pudukottai district
The Hindu
2025 jallikattu in Thatchankurichi village sees 20 injured, including bulls, with traditional fervour marking the bull-taming season.
The first jallikattu of 2025 was held at Thatchankurichi village in the Gandharvakottai taluk of Pudukottai district with traditional fervour on Saturday, marking the beginning of the bull-taming season in the State ahead of Pongal festivities.
Twenty persons were injured, and nine of them were referred to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital at the end of the event around 3.20 p.m.
According to official sources, a total of 20 persons — 10 bull-owners, six bull-tamers and four spectators — and a bull were injured. The bull, which suffered a head injury, was referred to the Veterinary College and Research Institute at Orathanadu for treatment. Among the injured persons, nine — five bull-owners, two bull-tamers and two spectators — were referred to the hospital and the others were treated by a medical team at the venue. Minister for Law S. Regupathy and Minister for Backward Classes Welfare Siva V. Meyyanathan flagged off the event from a makeshift stage at 8:15 a.m. in the presence of Collector M. Aruna, who administered the oath to the tamers.
The jallikattu arena was abuzz with excitement as bulls were released one by one through the ‘Vadivasal.’ As many as 459 bulls were released, and 290 tamers took the field. Bulls were transported from Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Salem, Theni, Madurai, Dindigul and the neighbouring districts to the village in mini trucks.
“I am incredibly proud of my bull, ‘Karuppu Thangam’. He has been trained for months, and has performed well today. I want to take him across the State to compete in more events,” S. Karthi, a bull-owner, said.
“It is a rush like no other — facing a furious bull and emerging victorious. But it is not just about winning. It is about respecting the animal’s power, and trusting my instincts,” R. Dinesh, a bull-tamer from Dindigul, said.
“A 30-member team of veterinarians were deployed at the checking point, ‘Vadivasal’, and collection point to screen and treat the injured bulls. The bulls were subjected to a dope test before being sent to the ‘Vadivasal’,” P. Chockalingam, Deputy Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, Pudukottai, told The Hindu.
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