A bullfighter seen with a raging bull at a jallikattu event in Alanganallur near Madurai on January 17, 2026. | Photo credit: G. Moorthy
The world famous Alanganallur jallikattu began on a high note on Saturday (January 17, 2026) with bulls and bull tamers vying for the top spot in a gallery packed with foreign tourists and visitors.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin participated in the jallikattu at Alanganallur.
Mr. Stalin presented gold rings to bull tamers at jallikattu.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu said that “Tamil Nadu Government will give preference to the best bull tamers for getting jobs in Animal Husbandry Department.
In pictures: Brave hearts chasing the raging bulls of ‘jallikattu’.
Young tamers Jotle to seize the bull released from ‘Vaadvasal’ at that of ‘Vaadvasal’ in that the snowman is the best way to get the best results from your quest.
A participant tries to tame a decorated bull during a ‘jallikattu’ in Avaniapuram, Madurai district on January 15, 2026. The event, which started at 7 am, lasted for almost 12 hours and ended around 7 pm.
As a bull emerges in the air, young participants try to tame it during a ‘jallikattu’ held at Periya Suriyur in Tiruchi district on January 16, 2026.
A group of young tamers compete to win a bull to pounce on a crow at Avaniapuram in Madurai on January 15, 2026.
As many as 465 tamers are participating in the last event of the Pongal 2026 season at Alanganallur where nearly 825 bulls will be released from the ‘Vaadi Vaasal’ (entry point) into the arena.
During a jallikattu at Palamedu in Madurai district on 16 January 2026, a bull knocked one of the tamers to the ground in an attempt to escape from their grip.
Tamers attempt to climb a makeshift gallery as a ‘jallikattu’ bull that was released from a ‘vaadivaasal’ turns around and waits to pounce on them at Avaniapuram village in Madurai on January 15, 2026.
A scene during ‘Jalalikattu’ read that is scene 1000 Jan 3,
A raging bull attacks a tamer at Palamedu in Madurai district on January 16, 2026.
A raging bull breaks out of a ‘vaadivaasal’ at Thatchankurichi in Pudukottai district on January 3, 2026
Tamers are united in their efforts to get the jallikattu, which is launched from ‘Vaadivasal’ at Palamedu in Madurai district on January 16,
The newly constructed permanent ‘jallikattu’ arena at Suriyur village hosted the first bull taming event of the year in Tiruchi district on 16 January 2025 after being inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin the previous day.
The spirit of the traditional sport of bull-taming came to the fore at the famous Jallikattu event at Alanganallur on January 17, 2026, when many furious bulls froze the tamers by displaying their strength.
A scene at the Avaniapuram jallikattu in Madurai on January 15, 2026. The event was largely uneventful, although nearly 60 people including bull tamers and spectators sustained minor injuries.
Sensing danger, all the tamers climbed the makeshift barricades as the bull charged towards them in the Palamedu jallikattu on 16 January 2026.
A ‘jallikattu’ bull tries to escape from the grip of a tamer who managed to retain its hump at Avaniapuram in Madurai on January 15, 2026
Tamers chase a bull as it charges from ‘Vaadvasal’ during ‘Jalalikattu’ at Periya Suriyur in Tiruchi district on January 16,
While the rest of the participants try to move away and climb the heights, a brave tamer manages to hold the bull that leaps into the air on January 15, 2026 at Avaniapuram in Madurai.
As many as 937 bulls and 568 bull tamers participated in 12 rounds of jallikattu event held at Avaniapuram in Madurai district on January 15, 2026.
A young tamer at play during the traditional bull taming sport ‘jallikattu’ held at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukottai district on January 3, 2026
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Mr. Stalin added that “The government will soon set up a special training center and hospital for veterinary services at Alanganallur at a cost of ₹ 2 crore.”
After a while, the Chief Minister left Alanganallur for Paramakudi by road in Ramanathapuram district to inaugurate the manimandapam built in memory of Tyagi Immanuel Sekaran.
Registration and Commercial Taxes Minister P. Moorthy had earlier called off the event in the presence of Madurai District Collector KJ Praveen Kumar.
This year, the winner would go home with a brand new car – which will be named after the Chief Minister – and the runner-up would receive a two-wheeler. The third prize is an electric bicycle. The owner of the most powerful bull will be presented with a tractor, organizers said.
Before the start of the event, the organizers along with the participants pledged to abide by the rules and not to violate the directions of the Supreme Court. Members of the Animal Welfare Committee of India are present at the site.
Officials of the animal husbandry department issued the tokens to the bull tamers after examining them. The bulls were also subjected to examination, they added.
Published – 17 Jan 2026 10:37 IST