ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024
News:Jallikattu, a popular bull taming sport held during Pongal is all set to take place in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu.
Facts:
About Jallikattu:
- Jallikattu is called as Eru thazuval or embracing the bull.The festival is a Tamil custom celebrated on the day of Mattu Pongal,the day after Pongal (harvest festival).
- The term ‘jallikattu,’ comes from Tamil terms ‘salli kaasu’ which means coins and kattu which means package tied to the horns of bulls as prize money.
- An ancient reference to Jallikattu is found in a seal discovered at Mohenjodaro which is dated between 2,500 BC and 1,800 BC.The festival also finds a mention in the Sangam literature.
- During the festival,Bulls of indigenous breeds mostly Kangeyam are specially prepared for the event by providing them with sumptuous food and care.
- On the day of the festival,the bulls are let loose from an enclosure(vaadi vaasal) and participants attempt to subdue them.
Additional information:
Other Bull taming sports:
About Hori Habba:
- Hori Habba’ is a popular bull-catching event in Karnataka.It is held during the harvest season.
- It is an ancient folk game native to Haveri district, and played on the lines of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and Kambala in Dakshina Kannada district.
About Kambala:
- Kambala is traditional slush track buffalo race that is held annually in coastal districts of Karnataka.
- During the festival,buffalo pairs are made to race one after another in paddy fields as a thanksgiving to the Gods for protecting the animals from diseases.
