As the harvest festival of Pongal draws near, a wave of optimism is sweeping through the agricultural community in Madurai district. Timely and beneficial rainfall has significantly improved the prospects for standing crops, setting a positive tone for the celebrations. This festive energy has also catalysed intense and meticulous preparations among Jallikattu bull owners, who are already training their animals for the iconic 2026 season.
Rigorous Regimen: The Making of a Jallikattu Bull
The preparation of a Jallikattu bull is a year-round commitment that blends traditional knowledge with disciplined training. Owners across the district have been engaged in this specialised rearing process for several months, focusing on building the animal's physical strength, endurance, and adaptability to the chaotic arena environment.
R Suresh, a seasoned bull owner from Narasingam with two decades of experience, detailed his comprehensive routine. "Our bulls are taken for long walks every single morning to build stamina," he explained. The regimen includes swimming sessions twice a week and a unique practice of strengthening the horns by thrusting them into sand mounds. Nutrition is carefully calibrated, with a diet rich in cottonseed, corn, wheat bran, and dates to enhance muscle and power.
Suresh revealed ambitious plans for the upcoming season: "This year, we aim to secure a token to field our bull at the renowned Alanganallur arena. Previously, our bull participated at Keelakarai." This shift highlights the competitive spirit and aspirations of owners to showcase their animals at the most prestigious venues.
Traditional Wisdom Meets Modern Practice
The dedication to rearing Jallikattu bulls transcends conventional boundaries. Keerthana, a transgender resident of Mela Anna Thoppu, has been passionately raising a bull since 2018. Her approach incorporates time-honoured practices, administering traditional herbal medicines alongside concentrated feed to ensure the bull's peak health and vitality.
To simulate real competition pressure, owners have instituted mock arena drills. R Nivas from Ilamanoor, who rears four Jallikattu bulls, stated that training commenced two months ago. "Beyond walking and swimming, we conduct weekly practice in a temporary 'vaadivaasal' (entry gate)," he said. Here, bulls learn crucial arena behaviour: circling the space, evading attempts by tamers, and acclimatising to the sounds and crowds.
Nivas emphasised training for practical challenges. "We train them to stand calmly for prolonged periods to endure long waiting hours during transport and at the venue," he noted. A specialised exercise for neck strength involves tying a rope and gently lifting the bull's head upward for nearly an hour, ensuring stability and power during the event.
A Dual Celebration of Harvest and Heritage
The concurrent uplift in farmer morale and the fervent bull training activities paint a vivid picture of Madurai's cultural landscape. The timely rains have promised a bountiful Pongal, a festival intrinsically linked to gratitude for nature and livestock. Simultaneously, the meticulous, months-ahead preparations for Jallikattu underscore the deep cultural significance of this ancient sport, where the bull is not just an opponent but a revered participant cared for with immense pride.
This period, therefore, marks a harmonious convergence of agricultural hope and sporting tradition, both integral to the Tamil identity. The community's efforts ensure that the forthcoming Pongal will be celebrated not only for its harvest but also as a prelude to the grand spectacle of valour and tradition that Jallikattu represents.
