IN PHOTOS | Madurai witnesses grand Avaniyapuram Jallikattu, first bull taming event in district this season

Jallikattu is predominantly celebrated in Tamil Nadu as part of Pongal celebrations. In the sport, a bull is released into a crowd of people and participants of the event try to grab the large hump on the bull's back, attempting to bring the bull to a stop.

The Avaniyapuram Jallikattu held on January 15 was the first bull-taming festival of the new year in the Madurai district. (Photo | K K Sundar, EPS)

The second Jallikattu of the season in Madurai is held on Tuesday in Palamedu, and on January 17 the famous Alanganallur Jallikattu will be held in the district.

The Avaniyapuram Jallikattu, which saw the participation of 825 bulls after 25 were rejected during physical fitness checks of the animals.

Around 430 bull tamers participated in the ten rounds of the Avaniyapuram Jallikattu in which Karthik emerged victorious after taming 17 bulls. The winner received a car, cow and calf.

A bull of C R Kartik Kumar was adjudged as the best bull and the owner also received a car as also a calf and cow.

During the event around 150 people, including bull tamers, spectators and cops, were injured.