Three spectators gored to death by bulls during manjuvirattu at Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu

Three spectators were gored to death by raging bulls during the manjuvirattu (bull chase) event at Araliparai in Sivaganga in south Tamil Nadu on Monday (March 2, 2026).

As more than 600 bulls, which were released, charged through the venue, men, women and children spectators perched atop nearby hillocks witnessed the yearly event. Police said three spectators, including an ice cream vendor, a migrant worker, lost their lives, and 95 others were injured after being gored by the bulls.

The event was conducted as part of Bala Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple’s (situated on a small hill) Masi Magam festival celebrations. For over 200 years, the manjuvirattu is being organised on the 10th day of the festival.

A total of 128 bulls from Sivaganga, Dindigul, Theni, Pudukkottai, Madurai and Tiruchi districts were released from the vadi-vasal (entry point). More than 70 bull tamers participated in the event. Additionally, over 500 bulls were released in surrounding fields.

The event turned fatal when bulls gored three individuals who were identified as Sundararajan, 34, of Pudukkottai district, Ramanathan, 23, of Madurai district and Jamalal Ji, 55, of Rajasthan.

Further, 95 people were injured. Medical camps set up at the site provided initial treatment, while 18 individuals with severe injuries were rushed to Sivaganga and Singampunari government hospitals for advanced care.