A total of 51 persons were injured in the jallikattu held at Pillamanaickenpatti village near here on Wednesday as part of the annual festival of Sri Kadhir Narasimha Swamy Temple. For the first time, male calves of native breeds were given as prize to best tamers.
Five grievously injured persons – bull owner Sait (45) of Salem and tamers Jayaseelan (30), Saravanan (35 of Theni, Chandru (27) of Alanganallur and spectator Balaji (23) – were referred to Dindigul Government Hospital for treatment.
Most of the injured were bull owners and spectators. A fiery bull tossed a boy in the air at the exit point while he was trying to cross it. A tamer, who got stranded at the ‘vaadi vaasal’, was gored by a bull as many tamers blocked the vaadi vassal and did not allow the animal to come out.
A total of 319 bulls from southern and western districts and 100 tamers took part in the event.
Elaborate arrangements were made for the event. For the first time, the event was held in an open field to ensure safety. The organisers had avoided narrow roads and residential areas to conduct the event. Sufficient space had been provided for the arena. The exit point of the arena was facing a vast open field, far away from residential areas. All possible entry points to the play area had been fenced.
Tamers were keenly monitored and those who violated rules of the game were denied prize. Sufficient police force had been deployed to regulate the crowd.
Winners were honoured with male calves of native breeds. A bull owner from Palamedu won the first male calf as his bull did not allow any tamer to touch it. The main aim of offering calves as prize was to protect the native species from extinction, the organisers said.
In next three years, the winners would become bull owners, said S. Chinnaiah, ‘Oor Naatamai’ and president of Dindigul District Jallikattu Protection Committee.
Besides, bicycles, cots, stainless steel vessels, refrigerators and other electronic gadgets were given as prize to successful tamers. Bull owners and tamers from other places were given a warm welcome. Prizes were given to all bull owners. Food was also served to all the tamers and the bull owners.
