At last, jallikattu happens in Alanganallur

Alanganallur that is famous all around the world for jallikattu, geared up early Friday morning to conduct the bull-taming sport. Here's a glimpse.

The town of Alanganallur in Madurai geared up early Thursday morning to witness the much awaited bull-taming sport of jallikattu. | EPS 

By the break of dawn, the barricaded gallery surrounding the arena filled quickly with police protection. | EPS

The villagers arrange a red carpet welcome for the bulls, which are the heroes of the sport. | EPS

Bull-tamers, all clad in green and brown, wait patiently outside the vaadivasal, the entry point for the bull into the sporting arena. | EPS

The first bull makes its way out of the vaadivasal to be greeted by the hundreds of eager onlookers and bull-tamers. | EPS

One of five temple bulls starts the show at Alanganallur, and as per the game rules these bulls are not to be tamed. | EPS

Jallikattu starts with much enthusiasm as the men in green start trying their hands at taming the bulls running wild. | EPS

Onlookers cheer on as a bull-tamer successfully gets his hands around the bull's hump in an attempt to tame it. | EPS

One of the participants gets thrown away by the speed at which the bull runs, even as two others are on the ground. (K K Sundar | EPS)

The wild bull sends participants flying in the air as it rages on trying to get away from the crowd of tamers. (K K Sundar | EPS)