(Deccan Herald) – Pongal, the widely celebrated harvest festival among Tamils globally, took an early turn this year in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province. Making history on Saturday, the province hosted its first-ever Jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport typically associated with Tamil Nadu.
Governor Senthil Tondaman and the Tourism Bureau spearheaded the event, attracting over 200 bulls and 100 skilled bull tamers. The Sambur public playground in Trincomalee, the capital of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, witnessed an early morning crowd gathering at 7 am, eager to witness the inaugural Jallikattu in person.
The event commenced with Thondaman inaugurating the proceedings, releasing a temple bull through the vaadivaasal into the playground. Tens of young men engaged in a spirited struggle to tame the bull. More than 200 adorned bulls, including several from Tondaman’s family, were successively released into the arena. Winners were rewarded with a variety of prizes, ranging from mixer grinders and rice cookers to ceiling fans and other household appliances.
Vaadivaasal, a narrow passage facilitating the bulls’ entry into the arena for taming, played a crucial role in the event. While ethnic Tamils and plantation Tamils in Sri Lanka annually celebrate Pongal, the inclusion of Jallikattu in the festival marked a significant first this year.
P Mathan, Chairman of the Eastern Province Tourism Bureau, conveyed that over 5,000 participants engaged in the historic Jallikattu event on Saturday. Expertise from Tamil Nadu and the Jallikattu Protection Committee, along with assistance from the Animal Husbandry department, ensured the event’s successful execution in Sri Lanka.
Jallikattu, traditionally celebrated with fervor in various parts of Tamil Nadu, especially in Madurai, Sivaganga, and Pudukkottai districts during the Tamil month of Thai (mid-January to mid-February), has now found a unique expression in Sri Lanka’s Pongal festivities. Source – dailymirror
