Madurai district is not only famous for jasmine and temples but also for organising the State’s traditional annual bull-taming sport – Jallikattu, held around Pongal time. This year, the stakes have gone up with winners taking home cars and newly introduced prizes like tractors. Suitcases and clothes are part of the spoils too.

Hotels are reporting higher occupancies with tourist inflows to the region rising as several international visitors fly in specially to view the spectacle. Some Madurai hoteliers are drawing up plans to make Jallikattu a year long attraction.

Tractors for winners

The controversial bull-taming festival kicked off this year in Madurai at Avaniyapuram on Pongal harvest festival with Karthick from Thiruparankundram winning the first prize of a car worth ₹8.5 lakh. The best bull was awarded a tractor worth ₹11 lakh.

On Wednesday, the event was held at Palamedu. On Thursday it will be at Alanganallur, which is considered to be the most famous among all locations and is attracting many tourists from India and abroad. On average over 900 bulls are entered into the event pitted against 500 tamers and a carnival-like festival – on par with the one held in Spain – prevails.

Tamil Nadu tourism department says Jallikattu dates back to 400-100 BCE when it was played by the Ayars, an ethnic group in India at the time. The name was coined from two words, Jalli (silver and gold coins) and Kattu (tied). A bull is let loose among a crowd; whoever tames it will get the coins tied to its horns; usually, the animals are of the Pulikulam or Kangayam breed.

Jallikattu is an emotive issue in Tamil Nadu with legal cases and protests for and against holding the event .A Constitution Bench in 2023 termed that bull-taming event is part of the cultural heritage and tradition of the people of Tamil Nadu. Controversies apart, the sport is vital for the Madurai’s hospitality sector with a large influx of tourists from India and abroad. The event is vital for rural areas, said a financial analyst.

Cashing in

JP Menon, GM- Courtyard by Marriott Madurai, says Jallikattu has been drawing outside guests to the city. “We are clocking a 90 per cent occupancy so far this month which is going to sustain through the month,” he said. The rate increase could be between 15-20 per cent during the season, he added.

“We want to make Jallikattu a year long attraction at Madurai by showcasing the training of the bulls at a couple of locations in Madurai. Travel Club Madurai and CII are working hand in hand to promote this initiative,” he said.

Anu Abraham, General Manager , Grand Madurai by GRT Hotels, however, says there has not been any significant change in booking growth due to Jallikattu. “There is a need to market the sport properly and be flexible to tourists to showcase Jallikattu culture, which is pride for Madurai,” he added.

N Lakshmanan Chettiar, a resident of Madurai and a senior tea planter, said rural sports like Jallikattu should be encouraged as they are crucial to the pastoral economy. He urged the government to focus on the welfare of the particular breed of bulls used in the sport.