Every Pongal, Tamil Nadu returns to one of its most intense cultural rituals. Jallikattu is back at Avaniyapuram—bigger, tighter and more closely regulated than ever. Here’s what defines the 2026 edition.

Tamil Nadu: 1000 Bulls, 500 Tamers Take Part in Controversial Sport 

At least 43 men were injured on the first day of Jallikattu that has attracted the ire of animal activists, officials said Wednesday.

Supreme Court banned Jallikattu in 2016 after a plea by animal rights groups but Tamil Nadu insisted Jallikattu was a crucial part of its culture and identity. The&nbsp;ban was lifted in 2016 with an amendment to the law after massive protests along the Marina beach in Chennai.

Close to a thousand bulls are participating in Wednesday's event. During the Jallikattu festival in Tamil Nadu bulls festooned with marigolds are released from pens and men try to grab their horns to win prizes such as scooters and whitegoods.

Critics say the bulls are fed alcohol and chilli powder is thrown in their faces to agitate them before the clash. Organisers insist the animals are not mistreated.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Bull-taming sport <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jallikattu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jallikattu</a> being performed in Madurai. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://t.co/6d35Eiv6jV">pic.twitter.com/6d35Eiv6jV</a>
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Nearly 500 bulls and a similar number of "tamers" were involved on the opening day of the festival in Madurai, S&nbsp;Natarajan, a government official from the city, told AFP.

"Forty-nine people were injured yesterday. Nine were taken to hospital for minor injuries," he said.

Wednesday's festivities will see almost double the number of bulls and competitors in the ring, Natarajan added.

In past years, competitors have been gored to death by bulls.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

At least 43 men were injured on the first day of Jallikattu that has attracted the ire of animal activists, officials said Wednesday. Supreme Court banned Jallikattu in 2016 after a plea by animal rights groups but Tamil Nadu insisted Jallikattu was a crucial part of its culture and identity.

At least 43 men were injured on the first day of Jallikattu that has attracted the ire of animal activists, officials said Wednesday. Supreme Court banned Jallikattu in 2016 after a plea by animal rights groups but Tamil Nadu insisted Jallikattu was a crucial part of its culture and identity. The ban was lifted in 2016 with an amendment to the law after massive protests along the Marina beach in Chennai. Close to a thousand bulls are participating in Wednesday's event. During the Jallikattu festival in Tamil Nadu bulls festooned with marigolds are released from pens and men try to grab their horns to win prizes such as scooters and whitegoods. Critics say the bulls are fed alcohol and chilli powder is thrown in their faces to agitate them before the clash. Organisers insist the animals are not mistreated. #WATCH: Bull-taming sport #Jallikattu being performed in Madurai. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/6d35Eiv6jV — ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2019 × Nearly 500 bulls and a similar number of "tamers" were involved on the opening day of the festival in Madurai, S Natarajan, a government official from the city, told AFP. "Forty-nine people were injured yesterday. Nine were taken to hospital for minor injuries," he said. Wednesday's festivities will see almost double the number of bulls and competitors in the ring, Natarajan added. In past years, competitors have been gored to death by bulls. (With inputs from AFP)

43 injured on day one of Jallikattu festival in Tamil Nadu

Jallikattu, the bull taming sport, will be organised in Alanganallur village in Tamil Nadu on Friday. Earlier on Thursday, the Madurai District Collector visited the site to review the arrangements.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, as many as 49 people were injured during the event which was organised in Palamedu district.

Madurai&#39;s famous Jallikattu arena Palamedu hosted the bull-taming sport after two years after a ban on the sport was lifted in January. According to reports, a total of 850 bulls have been registered for the sport that held at Palamedu.

On February 5, at least 37 bull tamers were injured in Madurai&#39;s Avanipuram during Jallikattu. Of the injured, nine have been admitted to hospital for medical treatment, while the others who are not critical are being given first aid.

Jallikattu is usually held during the harvest festival of Pongal in mid-January, but could not be organised in the past three years in view of the ban on the sport. Amid continuing protests over the ban on Jallikattu across the state, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had on January 23 unanimously passed an amendment bill, clearing the path for conducting Jallikattu without any hindrance.

With the government promulgating an ordinance and subsequently getting a Bill passed in the state assembly allowing Jallikattu, the event is being held in several parts of the state in the past few days.

The government&#39;s intervention came after a week-long protest largely by youths, including students, in the Marina Beach in Chennai, and elsewhere in the state.&nbsp;

(ANI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Jan 23 unanimously passed an amendment bill, clearing the path for conducting Jallikattu without any hindrance

Jallikattu, the bull taming sport, will be organised in Alanganallur village in Tamil Nadu on Friday. Earlier on Thursday, the Madurai District Collector visited the site to review the arrangements. Meanwhile, as many as 49 people were injured during the event which was organised in Palamedu district. Madurai's famous Jallikattu arena Palamedu hosted the bull-taming sport after two years after a ban on the sport was lifted in January. According to reports, a total of 850 bulls have been registered for the sport that held at Palamedu. On February 5, at least 37 bull tamers were injured in Madurai's Avanipuram during Jallikattu. Of the injured, nine have been admitted to hospital for medical treatment, while the others who are not critical are being given first aid. Jallikattu is usually held during the harvest festival of Pongal in mid-January, but could not be organised in the past three years in view of the ban on the sport. Amid continuing protests over the ban on Jallikattu across the state, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had on January 23 unanimously passed an amendment bill, clearing the path for conducting Jallikattu without any hindrance. With the government promulgating an ordinance and subsequently getting a Bill passed in the state assembly allowing Jallikattu, the event is being held in several parts of the state in the past few days. The government's intervention came after a week-long protest largely by youths, including students, in the Marina Beach in Chennai, and elsewhere in the state. (ANI)

India: Jallikattu to be organised in Tamil Nadu village today