An elderly man was killed and at least 27 others were injured in a bull race organized to mark the Pongal festival at Govinda Reddipalayam village in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district on Sunday. The incident took place during the Eruthuvittal Vizha, a traditional bull race organized on the occasion of Pongal festival, in which the raging bulls ran into the arena amidst a large number of spectators.
According to officials, the deceased has been identified as Thilagar (65), a resident of Kattukanur village near Kannamangalam in Tiruvannamalai district. He had come to Govinda Reddypalayam to meet his daughter Bhuvaneshwari during the Pongal festival and was standing near the finishing line when a bull gored him by the horn. He died on the spot due to the collision.
Bull races were organized at Govinda Reddipalayam near Ariyur, in which more than 100 bulls participated. Over 5,000 spectators from Vellore district and surrounding areas had gathered to witness the traditional festival. Police said 27 people, including Sathuvachari police inspector Vijayabhaskaran, who was on duty at the closing point, sustained minor injuries after being hit by the bulls.
All the injured were given first aid at the temporary medical camp set up at the spot. The body of the deceased has been sent to Vellore Government Medical College Hospital at Adukkamparai for post-mortem. Ariyur police have registered the case and further investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, to mark the Pongal festival, a grand Jallikattu was organized at Vadamalapuram near Pudukkottai, attracting huge crowds from nearby areas. The event was jointly organized by Rajavayal, Vadamalapuram and Gurukalaiyapatti villages at Pidari Amman and Karappar temples.
Jallikattu, a centuries-old traditional sport of Tamil Nadu, is celebrated on the third day of Pongal. The name is derived from the Tamil words ‘Jalli’ (meaning silver and gold coins) and ‘Kattu’ (meaning tied). During this game, a bull is released into the crowd, and participants attempt to grab the hump on its back to retrieve coins tied to its horns.
Pulikkulam or Kangayam breed of bulls are generally used in this sport. Bulls that perform well during festivals are in high demand and fetch high prices in the market.