Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
Near Alanganallur, a modern jallikattu arena promises to be the new home of the sport

Near Alanganallur, a modern jallikattu arena promises to be the new home of the sport

The Hindu
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 6:01 PM GMT

Near Alanganallur, a modern jallikattu arena promises to be the new home of the sport

Jallikattu, considered one of the traditional sports of Tamil Nadu, is also a cultural identity. In the sport, the arena, especially the ‘vaadivasal’ (the space through which the bull enters the field to face the players), holds significant importance. In places that have become synonymous with the sport, like Alanganallur and Palamedu in Madurai district, the arenas where jallikattu has been held for centuries are located near temples, and they hold a lot of sentimental value for the locals. Besides, the uniqueness of the arenas lends a distinct flavour to the sport.

If the smaller enclosure at Alanganallur makes the sport more spectacular, the vast arena on a river bed at Palamedu makes it difficult for the players to win since the bulls can run away easily.

The popularity of the sport surged after the mass protests across the State in 2017, which resulted in the enactment of a special legislation to overcome the Supreme Court-imposed ban on the sport. Although the sport is unique and intertwined with the local customs and culture, the arenas lacked modern amenities and the capacity to take in more visitors.

Recognising this, the Tamil Nadu government in 2022 announced a new arena in Madurai district. The construction of the arena at Keelakarai near Alanganallur is almost complete. The arena is ready to be opened soon. The arena, constructed on an area sprawling 16 acres in a picturesque location on the foothills of Vaithumalai, has many state-of-the-art facilities for the bull tamers and the bulls, officials say.

The ground floor, measuring 27,534 square feet, has ‘vaadivasal,’ administration office, emergency treatment room, media room, bull registration room, museum, changing room, stalls, lockers and dormitories. The first floor (16,921 square feet) has a VIP suite and lounge, pantry and dormitories and the second floor (9,020 square feet) is equipped with a store and equipment room. The viewers’ gallery would have 3,700 seats in two floors. The arena will also have other facilities, including a bull shed, bull barn and veterinary hospital.

A museum on the premises will showcase photographs, sculptures, paintings, and drawings on jallikattu. The art curator of the museum, who did not want to be named, said the idea was to educate the visitor with details of the sport, starting from its history to the techniques followed. “We have curated the photographs of how bulls starting from the ancient period were domesticated, mentions of ‘Earu Thaluvuthal’ [old name for the sport] in the Sangam literature, ancient coins, terracotta, vintage photographs of the sport and photographs depicting the emotional connect of the people with the sport,” he said.

In addition to this, sculptures (hero stones) based on evidence about the persons who lost their lives fighting for their villages for various causes, who the local residents consider as martyrs, and about the people who lost their life in the sport, were also being displayed.

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko’s father killed in accident in Tamil Nadu; actor, mother injured

Father of Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko killed in road accident, actor and mother injured, details pending.

OpenAI appeals data preservation order in NYT copyright case

OpenAI is appealing an order in the NYT copyright case that requires it to save ChatGPT chats indefinitely, arguing that the order conflicts with privacy commitments it has made with users.

Vembanad’s clam sector plumbs new depths Premium

Discover the challenges faced by clam harvesters in Kerala's Vembanad Lake and the declining lime shell industry.

PM Modi J&K visit LIVE: Chenab Rail Bridge all set to be inaugurated

PM Modi J&K visit LIVE: Follow live updates by The Hindu as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates key infrastructure projects worth ₹46,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir.

‘I was determined to write something funny’: Nussaibah Younis, author of Fundamentally, shortlisted for Women’s Prize for Fiction

Nussaibah Younis pens a satirical novel on aid work, racism, and queerness, shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction.

Blast in stone quarry near Hassan, two feared dead and four injured

The quarry is owned by Devraj, a resident of Hassan. When DC Sathyabhama questioned him about the blast, he insisted that nobody had died. The injured had been sent to a hospital. One of the injured persons had been sent to Bengaluru. The quarry owner denied reports of a blast.

Bengaluru stampede: Top RCB official and 3 from event management company arrested 

Bengaluru police arrest RCB official and event management company members after stampede at victory celebrations.

Hindi speakers’ society takes the lead to celebrate centenary of Ritwik Ghatak

Celebrating Ritwik Ghatak's centenary, West Bengal Hindi Speakers' Society screens Subarnarekha, highlighting Ghatak's humane portrayal of Hindi-speaking characters.

Tech giants' indirect emissions rose 150% in three years as AI expands, UN agency says

Amazon’s operational carbon emissions grew the most at 182% in 2023 compared to three years before, according to the report.

MCH installs modern machine to detect substance abuse in a matter of minutes

Government Medical College Hospital in Ernakulam offers free cardiac and drug panel tests with results in 15 minutes.

In row with Trump, Musk says will end critical U.S. spaceship program

Elon Musk to decommission SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after Trump threatens contracts, impacting NASA missions and space travel.

What is new in Ladakh’s government job reservation policy? | Explained Premium

New regulations in Ladakh provide 95% government job reservation, language policies, and hill council composition changes.

Schoolchildren spread ‘green’ message through their paintings

The Hindu Future India Club and AMNS organized a school competition promoting environmental awareness and talent in Visakhapatnam.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Sikkim landslide: rescue efforts resume to evacuate stranded tourists

Efforts to rescue stranded tourists in north Sikkim resume with helicopters from Pakyong Greenfield Airport, officials say.

A bite of the 90s, with a side of filter coffee at Coffee Sangam in Hyderabad

For Telugu snacks and foods you loved as a 90s kid, head to Coffee Sangam in Hyderabad

‘Otters and fishermen have been living together ever since man took to fishing’

Meet Maya and her family, the four-footed stars of My Otter Diary, a new documentary on smooth-coated otters along the Cauvery

Madras High Court refuses to order re-conduct of NEET-UG 2025 for candidates affected by power outage

Madras High Court refuses to order re-conduct of NEET-UG 2025 for candidates affected by power outage

PM Modi lauds Yuva Shakti for driving India’s growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizes youth empowerment through government initiatives, highlighting the impact of India's youth on global stage.

Norway Chess | Gukesh overcomes Wei Yi challenge, presses hard for title with Carlsen

D. Gukesh and Magnus Carlsen vie for Norway Chess title in Stavanger, with Carlsen aiming for seventh win.

‘Alien: Earth’ trailer: Noah Hawley’s FX series drops biggest Predator crossover tease yet

FX's Alien: Earth trailer teases a sci-fi prequel series set on Earth in 2120, featuring new creatures and potential crossovers.

Kashmir rail link example of continuity in governance which PM never acknowledges: Congress

Congress criticizes PM Modi for not acknowledging past governments' role in the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line.

‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ trailer: Jennifer Lopez steals the spotlight in old Hollywood musical

Jennifer Lopez stars in Kiss of the Spider Woman, a musical drama paying tribute to Hollywood's golden age.

Residents raise concerns over delay in flood mitigation work near Chennai Metro Rail construction sites

Residents raise concerns over delay in flood mitigation work near Chennai Metro Rail construction sites

Green legends

Featuring six ancient trees - three from across the world and three from India

Kalaburagi aiming for greener future with mass sapling drive

Kalaburagi, which has forest cover of less than 5%, falls within the Kalyana Karnataka region where all districts have forest areas below 10%. The new plantation drive aims to address this ecological imbalance by substantially increasing green cover in the region.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us