In Pictures: Bravehearts in pursuit of raging ‘jallikattu’ bulls in Tamil Nadu
Tfirst year of his year jallikattu The event in Tamil Nadu was held at Thatchankurichi village of Pudukottai district on January 3, 2026 (Saturday) to mark the beginning of the sports season in the state. While more than 450 bulls were released into the arena, nearly 200 young people competed to tame them.
Then Avaniapuram village in Madurai district hosted the next meeting. jallikattu, On the Pongal festival day, January 15 (Thursday). To ensure transparency, a digital scoreboard was introduced for the first time. Balamurugan of Valayankulam in Madurai district was adjudged the best bull tamer, winning a car by taming 22 bulls.
on the day Maattu Pongal (January 16), ‘jallikattu’ is organized in Palamedu village of Madurai district and Suriyur village of Tiruchi district. In Suriyur, jallikattu It is being held in a newly built permanent arena.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will inaugurate the world-famous Alanganallur jallikattu in Madurai district on January 17 (Saturday).
Photo: R. Vengadesh
Young tamers jostle to catch a bull released from ‘vaadivaasal’ at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukkottai district on January 3, 2026.
Photo: G. Moorthy
A participant tries to tame a decorated bull during a ‘jallikattu’ held at Avaniapuram in Madurai district on January 15, 2026. The event, which started at 7 a.m., lasted approximately 12 hours and ended around 19:00 in the evening.
Photo: M. Moorthy
Young participants try to tame a bull that leaps into the air during a ‘jallikattu’ held at Periya Suriyur in Tiruchi district on January 16, 2026.
Photo: G. Moorthy
A group of young tamers compete to catch a bull passing through a crow at Avaniapuram in Madurai on January 15, 2026.
Photo: G. Moorthy
Tamers try to climb the makeshift gallery when a ‘jallikattu’ bull released from ‘vaadivaasal’ returns to attack them at Avaniapuram village in Madurai on January 15, 2026.
Photo: M. Moorthy
The newly constructed permanent ‘jallikattu’ arena at Suriyur village hosted the first bull taming event of Tiruchi district on January 16, 2025, following its 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 incidents, but approximately 60 people, including bull tamers and spectators, suffered minor injuries.
Photo: G. Moorthy
A ‘jallikattu’ bull tries to escape from the grasp of a trainer who manages to keep its hump at Avaniapuram in Madurai on January 15, 2026
Photo: M. Moorthy
Tamers chase a bull coming 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 high, a brave tamer manages to hold a bull leaping into the air at Avaniapuram in Madurai on January 15, 2026.
Photo: G. Moorthy
As many as 937 bulls and 568 bull tamers participated in 12 rounds of the jallikattu event held at Avaniapuram in Madurai district on January 15, 2026
It was published – 16 January 2026 16:56 IST
