Araliparai Manjuvirattu in Sivaganga district on 2 March 2026 where three spectators were mauled to death by bulls. | Photo Credit: Special Event
Three spectators were mauled to death by raging bulls during a manjuvirattu (bull chase) event at Araliparai in south Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga on Monday (March 2, 2026).
More than 600 bulls that had been released charged across the venue, men, women and child spectators seated on nearby hills witnessing the annual event. Police said three spectators, including an ice cream vendor, a migrant worker, lost their lives and 95 others were injured after they were gored by the bulls.
The event was held as part of the Masi Magam festival celebrations at the Bala Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple (on a small hill). For more than 200 years, manjuvirattu has been held 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. In addition, over 500 bulls were released in the surrounding fields.
The incident turned fatal when the bulls gored three individuals, who have been identified as Sundararajan, 34, of Pudukkottai district, Ramanathan, 23, of Madurai district and Jamalal Ji, 55, of Rajasthan.
In addition, 95 people were injured. Medical camps set up at the site provided initial treatment while 18 individuals with severe injuries were taken to Sivaganga and Singampunari government hospitals for advanced care.
Published – 02 March 2026 20:37 IST
