MADURAI/KRISHNAGIRI/VELLORE: Thirty-six people were injured, four of them seriously, during the famed Alanganallur Jallikattu held in Madurai on Tuesday as part of Pongal festivities even as two persons were killed in bull-taming and racing events held in Kishnagiri and Vellore districts.However, there was a steep decline in the number of injuries this year, courtesy the court guidelines. In Alanganallur alone, 76 people had been injured last year.The Alanganallur event started around 9.30 am, with a special offering to Goddess Muthalamman. First, the bulls belonging to various temples, raced past the tamers without being challenged, as per the custom. After the temple bulls, other bulls were released from the Vaadi Vaasal (entry point).As many as 464 bulls were registered for the Jallikattu, of which 17 were rejected during the mandatory medical check-up. District Collector U Sagayam and Superintendent of Police Asra Garg monitored the event to ensure that the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court were followed strictly. Around 200 foreign tourists watched the event from a special gallery. Those found violating rules, like twisting the tail of the animals, were sent out of the arena immediately. Only one tamer was permitted at a time. A total of 493 bull tamers participated in the event. The tamers who sustained serious injuries were identified as Ranjith (24) of Podhumbu, Thangam (18) of Kuravakudi, Maharajan (31) of Mettupatti, Srinivasan (25) of Gandhigram. They were admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital.In Krishnagiri district, one person was killed and 30 others were injured in the events held in Periyamavanapalli and Thirumalaikotta. Mani (18), a participant from Kolapalli, died en route to hospital after getting injured at the Jallikattu held at Periyamavanapalli, where around 300 bulls and 400 youth participated. In Vellore district, one person was killed and 18 others were injured in the Erudhu Vidum Vizha (bull races) organised on Tuesday. Raja (25) of Moonjurpet died after a bull charged at him. The organisers, who conducted the programme without permission from district administration, were arrested. Meanwhile, in a Kaanum Pongal day mishap, 10 persons who visited Melmayanur temple were hurt, as the auto they travelled in fell into a trench near Arcot.The annual Pongal Tourist Festival, organised by the State Tourism Department was held at Palur, a hamlet about 8 km from Tiruchy, on Tuesday. About 50 tourists from various countries such as Italy, Netherlands, Austria, France and the UK, took part in the fest. The fest is aimed at providing a glimpse of the harvest festival to tourists and an opportunity to experience a slice of rural life. Amid the vibrant beats of Thappu, a percussion instrument, the tourists, were accorded a warm welcome with bright yellow javandi garlands and a tilak on their foreheads, by the villagers of Palur. The tourists then hopped on to the bullock carts.
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