With Pongal festival round the corner, Periya Suriyur village on the city's outskirts is gearing up to play host yet again for the traditional 'jallikattu'.
Preparatory works connected with holding the event has kick-started at Periya Suriyur which would be the first village to organise jallikattu in Tiruchi district once permission was accorded from the district administration. Adhering to the centuries-old custom, the bull-taming event is planned to be held this time too on the 'Maattu Pongal' day (January 16) - a day after the Pongal festival.
Ahead of organising the event, villagers of Periya Suriyur made a formal representation recently seeking the district administration's nod to hold the jallikattu. The district administration in its reply has asked the organising committee members to put in place all precautionary measures and ensure that there was no violation of prescribed guidelines.
The official communication from the district administration further stated that after completion of all necessary measures and works, a team headed by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruchi would inspect the event venue and send a report. Only after submission of report, permission would be granted to organise the event.
With the hope of obtaining the nod, the organising committee have already swung into action. Unlike previous occasions, the committee members have shifted the venue this time to a sprawling dry tank situated on the western side of the village.
The dry waterbody measuring about 200 to 300 acres was chosen since it would provide ample space for holding the event, said S. Raja, one of the organisers of the event.
The usual open ground (’mandhai’) at the centre of the village where the event used to be held over the years posed inconvenience to public movements as well as for the bull owners when they brought the animals for the jallikattu prompting the shift to a larger area, he added.
Another striking feature is that galleries for visitors, stage for the VIPs as well as the double barricades to be put up along the arena will be made of iron to ensure stability of the structures”, said Mr. Raja.
“The committee members have planned this time to adhere to the age-old practice of visiting the houses of bull owners to extend personal invitations to them to bring their animals for the show,” said Mr. Raja.
Villagers of Periya Suriyur are expecting around 500 bulls from various districts to take part in the grand event this time. Funds have been mobilised by villagers themselves to make the show a gala affair with attractive prizes that includes gold and silver coins. Around ₹10 lakh is expected to be spent for hosting the event by strictly adhering to the prescribed guidelines, said Mr. Raja.