Bulls gearing up for Jallikattu; all you need to know about their training

MADURAI: Madurai’s Jallikattu arenas are set to come alive with pouncing bulls and atheletic tamers in just about a month. Though the bull-taming sport is under a legal cloud, this has not dulled preparation, with bull owners and tamers counting down to Pongal when the most popular events are held at Madurai’s Alanganallur, Avaniyapuram and Palamedu.

Bulls and tamers across the district are currently on a strict regimen of diet and exercise while training for the events. Although some enthusiasts raised concerns over the ongoing case in the Supreme Court, they hope for a smooth season.

“We take part in the Alanganallur Jallikattu and start training our bulls 60 days ahead. This includes providing the bull with a nutritious diet and feeding it foods like aloe vera to keep its body cool,” Mudakathan Mani, a bull-owner from Madurai, told TNIE.

The bulls get daily walks and go swimming once every two to three days. Bulls are also given Vaadivasal training. Durai Pandi, a bull owner from Madurai, said, “I have been rearing native breed bulls for Jallikattu and Vada Manjuvirattu for over a decade. We give them additional training for the Vada Manjuvirattu, along with a special diet, to increase strength and stamina.”