VELLORE: Adding evidence to the claim that the jallikattu tradition originated centuries ago, Tamil department professors from Sacred Heart College have unearthed a rare stone depicting a jallikattu hero in Tirupattur. In recent months, the professors have stumbled upon many hero and heroine stones in and around Tirupattur.
Professor Mohan Gandhi described the stone as a rare finding in the State as only few such stones of gallantry have been found. Most of the stones so far have come from the districts of Tiruvannamalai and Salem areas, where bull sport could have originated hundreds of years ago.
Professor Gandhi said the stone was found in Ammanankoil village in between Tirupattur and Natrampalli towns on a tank bund. The 4 feet by 4 feet stone shows a hero who has conquered a raging bull. Experts in the region, including former government museum curator Gandhi, who had assessed the stone have estimated that this stone could belong to the Vijayanagar empire dating back to 15th century.
Locals unaware of its significance, however, have been worshiping the stone by naming the hero as ‘Potharaja’. Annual festivals are also being held for this hero in the village. With the inscriptions on the stone blurred, the details about the hero is unknown. But he is seen wearing jewels in his hands and holds a whip to control the bull. On his hip, he sports a sword. The left hand is seen holding the horn of the bull and one of his legs is placed on the cow which seems to have been conquered.