Summary:
Madurai, Jan 14 (PTI): Bulls aggressively stormed into the arena at Avaniyapuram here on Friday, signalling the commencement of the Jallikattu competitions during the Pongal (harvest) festival in the district.
As the bulls rushed from the "vaadivasal" (entry point), a number of youth swarmed around them hoping to clasp their arms around the animal"s hump and ride to victory in the bull-taming competition.
Many participants made unsuccessful attempts to get a firm grip of the hump but the bulls shrugged them off and darted forward.
Few men pounced from the side of the animal and clung to the bull"s hump till the finishing point.
This district would witness this traditional sport at Palamedu on Saturday and culminate with the grand finale at Alanganallur on January 17.
The event at Alanganallur, a world famous one, is being held on Monday instead of January 16 as a lockdown has been imposed in view of the rise in number of COVID-19 cases in the state.