Pongal Sports at Madurai

During the Pongal season in Tamilnadu Jallikattu, goat fights & cock fights are common and popular sports among rural folk. Jallikattu is a bull taming sport held as part of Pongal Day celebrations on Mattu Pongal Day. In Jalli Kattu the bulls are not killed and there are no weapons and there no trained matadors. It is the village youth who gather in large numbers to tame the bulls. The most famous bull taming sport is held in Alanganallur near Madurai and is commonly referred to as the Alanganallur Jallikattu.Jalllikattu has its origins from the Tamil Classical period or Sangam Age which dates back to 3rd-4th Century AD. The word Jallikattu originates from Salli Kaasu (coins)  & kattu ( packet) tied to the horns of the bull as prize money. As per legend in the olden days women chose as their husbands winners of the bull taming sport. Here is a video taken from the web, which depicts jalli-kattu in its contemporary form..

Another popular but not so well publicized sport is the goat fights or kadaa Muttu in Tamilnadu. Madurai is once again an important center where champion goats are reared. Goats carry names like Virumandi, Veera, Gilli, Billa etc Goats are generally fed dal, wheat, agathu keerai, fresh vegetables and even eggs. Dates are their main source of energy. This is what triggers their valour before a fight. Training sessions for the fighter goats are very tough. They have gruelling practice sessions before they get that strength to fight. The workouts the goats undergo are similar to what real heavy weight champions undergo.Running, swimming and bumping their heads repeatedly against hard surfaces are some of the activities performed by these goats.

 

 And finally another local sport that thrills the locals are cock fights. Cock fighting is said to be the world's oldest spectator sport. Its origins goes back to 6,000 BC in Persia.

                      

Happy Pongal to all viewers!