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Man versus beast: 30 snapshots of heart-stopping action from jallikattu in Tamil Nadu

From start to finish, here are all the thrills and chills from the several rounds of the bull-taming sport held in various parts of southern Tamil Nadu, among which Alangannallur in Madurai is the most famous.
Crowds gather to watch the jallikattu spectacle
Crowds gather to watch the jallikattu spectacle
KK Sundar
Updated on: 
3 min read
Enthusiasts sit above the vaadivasal, the entrance to the passage through which the bull come charging through
Enthusiasts sit above the vaadivasal, the entrance to the passage through which the bull come charging through
First glance of a bull rushing out of the vaadivasal as the waiting sportsmen get ready to rein it in, first chance they get
First glance of a bull rushing out of the vaadivasal as the waiting sportsmen get ready to rein it in, first chance they get
A bull almost pins a competitor to the wall as the action begins in full swing
A bull almost pins a competitor to the wall as the action begins in full swing
Another bull aims right for the waiting crowd as it emerges from the vaadivasal
Another bull aims right for the waiting crowd as it emerges from the vaadivasal
Even before this bull steps on to the arena, eager players try to latch on to its body
Even before this bull steps on to the arena, eager players try to latch on to its body
But the bull shakes them off easily and pounces into the field
But the bull shakes them off easily and pounces into the field
Another one too seems like it would get overpowered in this many versus one game
Another one too seems like it would get overpowered in this many versus one game
Here, it seems to be a one-to-one battle as a youth hangs on for dear life and a chance for glory
Here, it seems to be a one-to-one battle as a youth hangs on for dear life and a chance for glory
Acrobatics came in handy as this youth tried to dodge the bull's horns
Acrobatics came in handy as this youth tried to dodge the bull's horns
The bull got him in a flash, however, showing him who's boss
The bull got him in a flash, however, showing him who's boss
Who will prove their valour? Various teams try their luck
Who will prove their valour? Various teams try their luck
Up, up and away
Up, up and away
Full frontal attack
Full frontal attack
Man versus beast turns fight to determine the alpha male among bulls
Man versus beast turns fight to determine the alpha male among bulls
As the bull runs helter skelter, the man awaits his window of opportunity
As the bull runs helter skelter, the man awaits his window of opportunity
Hard to tame, might as well trail
Hard to tame, might as well trail
Airborne after a painful launch
Airborne after a painful launch
Freeze frame
Freeze frame
The might of the many, fallen
The might of the many, fallen
Too close for comfort
Too close for comfort
Who will make it?
Who will make it?
Pride before the fall
Pride before the fall
Countless matadors
Countless matadors
Rodeo style
Rodeo style
Me and my bull
Me and my bull
And the winner in 3,2,1...
And the winner in 3,2,1...
A fight to the finish
A fight to the finish
Sons of the soil
Sons of the soil
Another bites the dust
Another bites the dust
Tamil Nadu
jallikattu
Madurai
Alanganallur
bull taming

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