Alanganallur Jallikattu - Tamil Nadu
Manju Virattu is a kind of Jallikattu practiced in the districts of Madurai, Pudukkottai, Theni, Thanjavur, and Salem. Visual media widely popularize this type like television and movies. It involves an array of bulls being released one after another from an enclosure with an opening. As the bull comes out of the enclosure, one person clings to the hump of the bull. In its attempt to break free, the bull shakes the person off will bolts while some try to hook the player with their horns. To win the prize, the participant is expected to hold the running bull for a predetermined time and distance to win the prize. At a time, one person is allowed to attempt hugging the bull. This rule is being strictly followed by the village committee, who takes charge of the event.
Veli Virattu is slightly different from Vadi Manju Viraṭṭu but the rules are the same. This type of Jallikattu is more popular in the districts of Sivagangai, Mana Madurai, and Madurai. Here the bulls are released into an open ground without any restrictions in the form of a rope or set path. Once released, the bulls are free to run in any direction, elevating the difficulty level of the sport. Most bulls don’t even come close to any human, but others stand in the middle of the ground to challenge players to make a move and then fight the person with their skills. These are the bulls who exhibit their magnificence and provide a spectacle for onlookers, players, and bull owners.
Vadam Manju Virattu stands taming a bull with rope, here Vadam represents rope, and Manju Virattu means bull taming in Tamil. In this type of sport, the bull is tied to a 50 feet long rope and is left free to move within the designed space. A team of 7 or 9 participants then must attempt to bring the bull under control within 30 minutes. This event is considered much safer for spectators than other types as the bull is tied, and blockades shield the audience.
