What is Jallikattu?
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Jallikattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu on Mattu Pongal day as a part of Pongal celebrations i.e. harvest festival.
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It is one of the oldest (about 2000 years) living ancient tradition practiced in the modern era.
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Jallikattu has been derived from the words ‘calli’ (coins) and ‘kattu’ (tie), which means a bundle of coins is tied to the bull’s horns.
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In Sangam literature the sport is called as ‘Yeru thazhuvuthal’ (means to embrace bulls).
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In older times Jallikattu was popular amongst warriors during the Tamil classical period.
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The bull tamer sought to remove this bundle from the animal’s head to win gold or silver coins to be called ‘brave’ and ‘valourous’.
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All castes participate in the event and majority of jallikattu bulls belong to the pulikulam breed of cattle.