2026 jallikattu season kicks off at Thatchankurichi in Pudukottai

Tamil Nadu’s first jallikattu of 2026 kicked off with enthusiasm at Thatchankurichi village in Gandharvakottai taluk of Pudukottai district on Saturday (January 3, 2026), marking the commencement of the traditional bull-taming festival in the State this year.

Youngsters attempt to tame a bull during the jallikattu event at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukottai district on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
R. Vengadesh

The event was inaugurated by Minister for Law S. Regupathy and Minister for Backward Classes Welfare Siva V. Meyyanathan in the presence of District Collector M. Aruna, who administered the oath to the tamers.

The jallikattu arena witnessed scenes of heightened excitement as bulls emerged through the ‘vadivasal’. According to sources, around 600 bulls and at least 300 tamers were expected to participate in the event.

A jallikattu bull springs out of the ‘vadivasal’ during the bull-taming sport held at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukottai district on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
R. Vengadesh

A posse of over 250 police personnel has been deployed to regulate and control the crowd. Medical arrangements included seven mobile teams with 30 health officials and five veterinary teams comprising 20 staff members to attend to injured tamers and bulls.

Medical examinations for bulls and tamers were conducted before allowing them into the arena. Medical teams with ambulances were stationed at the bull collection area and near the ‘vadivasal’, while eight ambulances were kept on standby to rush the injured persons to the Gandharvakottai Government Hospital.