Gandharvakota:
Pudukottai district is located near Kandarvakottai, Tachangurichi, the holy temple of Our Lady of Refuge. Jallikattu competition is held here every year on 1st January on the occasion of Christmas and New Year.
Due to security reasons, this match was held on the 2nd last year due to the corona virus and was held on the 13th.
While the preparations for this year’s jallikattu competition were ready, collector Kavitaramu announced that the jallikattu competition would be postponed in the interest of security.
Safety precautions are not taken properly, collection point where cows can come out is not properly set up, cowherd players and bulls are not properly tokenized online, Corona RDPCR for players. It was said that the test was not carried out. After completion of all the works, the Jallikattu team said that permission will be given on the date on which permission is sought.
Enraged by this, the villagers of Thachankurichi and the jallikattu festival team engaged in protests including blocking the vehicles of the officials and blocking the road. After this, Revenue Commissioner Murugesan held talks with the villagers.
Hence it was decided to hold Jallikattu competition today (8th). Everyone accepted this. 500 bulls were registered to participate in the Jallikattu based on those already booked.
Similarly, 300 cattlemen had registered their names. A certificate of corona vaccination was obtained online. Many people were tested for Corona and issued certificates immediately.
In this case, Tamil Nadu’s first jallikattu competition started in Thachankurichi this morning with great fanfare.
Earlier, a special prayer was held under the leadership of the parish priest of Holy Mother of Refuge. 15 temple bulls were untied one after the other at 6.30 am in time for the sounding of drums and firecrackers.
Subsequently, at 8.30 in the morning, Ministers Raghupathi, Meiyanathan, Collector Kavita Ramu, MLAs Chinnadurai, Dr. Muthuraja, North District DMK. Jallikattu was flagged off by Secretary KK Chellapandian.
Earlier, cowherds had taken an oath that they would strictly follow jallikattu norms and not harass the bulls. Then the canned bulls were released one after the other.
The cowherd players were dropped into the field in rotation. They tamed the bulls that came roaring and roaring from the gate. In this, many bulls stood on the field without getting caught by the players.
The bulls, as well as the cowherds who tamed the bulls, were given various prizes including motorcycles, bicycles, cots, biro, chair, anda.
Rajkumar Kala from Thanjavur and Yogeswaran from Thirunalloor were given the bike as the first prize.
Jallikattu enthusiasts and youths gathered in large numbers from various districts to watch the competition after getting the honor of being the first Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. There police were engaged in security under the leadership of District Superintendent of Police Vandita Pandey.
Ambulance and fire engines were parked near the jallikattu venue. 70 people, including a woman guard, were injured in the jallikattu competition in which cows were chased and thrown. 4 people who were seriously injured were immediately sent by ambulance to Tanjore Government Medical College Hospital.