Madurai district will not be solely well-known for jasmine and temples but in addition for organising the State’s conventional annual bull-taming sport – Jallikattu, held round Pongal time. This yr, the stakes have gone up with winners taking house vehicles and newly launched prizes like tractors. Suitcases and garments are a part of the spoils too.
Resorts are reporting greater occupancies with vacationer inflows to the area rising as a number of worldwide guests fly in specifically to view the spectacle. Some Madurai hoteliers are drawing up plans to make Jallikattu a yr lengthy attraction.
Tractors for winners
The controversial bull-taming competition kicked off this yr in Madurai at Avaniyapuram on Pongal harvest competition with Karthick from Thiruparankundram successful the primary prize of a automobile price ₹8.5 lakh. One of the best bull was awarded a tractor price ₹11 lakh.
On Wednesday, the occasion was held at Palamedu. On Thursday will probably be at Alanganallur, which is taken into account to be probably the most well-known amongst all areas and is attracting many vacationers from India and overseas. On common over 900 bulls are entered into the occasion pitted towards 500 tamers and a carnival-like competition – on par with the one held in Spain – prevails.
Tamil Nadu tourism division says Jallikattu dates again to 400-100 BCE when it was performed by the Ayars, an ethnic group in India on the time. The identify was coined from two phrases, Jalli (silver and gold cash) and Kattu (tied). A bull is let free amongst a crowd; whoever tames it would get the cash tied to its horns; normally, the animals are of the Pulikulam or Kangayam breed.
Jallikattu is an emotive subject in Tamil Nadu with authorized instances and protests for and towards holding the occasion .A Structure Bench in 2023 termed that bull-taming occasion is a part of the cultural heritage and custom of the folks of Tamil Nadu. Controversies aside, the game is important for the Madurai’s hospitality sector with a big inflow of vacationers from India and overseas. The occasion is important for rural areas, stated a monetary analyst.
Cashing in
JP Menon, GM- Courtyard by Marriott Madurai, says Jallikattu has been drawing exterior friends to the town. “We’re clocking a 90 per cent occupancy to this point this month which goes to maintain by way of the month,” he stated. The speed enhance might be between 15-20 per cent through the season, he added.
“We wish to make Jallikattu a yr lengthy attraction at Madurai by showcasing the coaching of the bulls at a few areas in Madurai. Journey Membership Madurai and CII are working hand in hand to advertise this initiative,” he stated.
Anu Abraham, Normal Supervisor , Grand Madurai by GRT Resorts, nonetheless, says there has not been any important change in reserving development because of Jallikattu. “There’s a have to market the game correctly and be versatile to vacationers to showcase Jallikattu tradition, which is pleasure for Madurai,” he added.
N Lakshmanan Chettiar, a resident of Madurai and a senior tea planter, stated rural sports activities like Jallikattu ought to be inspired as they’re essential to the pastoral financial system. He urged the federal government to give attention to the welfare of the actual breed of bulls used within the sport.
