Jallikattu Bull-Taming Fest Draws Large Crowds Near Tirupati
Traditional Jallikattu-style cattle taming events — known locally as Pasuvula Panduga — drew hundreds of youth and spectators from Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states near Tirupati and across Chittoor district this week, becoming one of the major attractions of the Kanuma / Sankranti festival celebrations. Organised in villages such as Pullayyagaripalle in Chandragiri and Anupalli, the festivities saw spirited participation and enthusiastic crowds cheering as young men attempted to control and collect tokens tied to bulls’ horns.
Bulls were beautifully decorated with colourful ornaments and flags, and events were organised in several locations across the district. Participants and visitors came not just from local Tamil Nadu and Karnataka border areas but from across the region, underlining the enduring cultural appeal of this centuries-old tradition embedded in rural festival life. While mostly celebratory, the sport is not without risk; reports noted minor injuries to a few competitors, a common occurrence given the nature of the activity.
Traditionally linked with harvest and cattle-honouring rituals during Sankranti and Kanuma, these events underscore the strong connection between livestock, community identity and festive culture in southern India. Organisers emphasise that the celebration is meant to honour cattle, vital to farming and rural livelihoods, though animal welfare groups sometimes raise concerns about safety.
Across Andhra, Jallikattu festivities have become a significant winter highlight that brings together local traditions, rural sport and festival fervour, drawing both participants and spectators into large gatherings that help sustain age-old cultural practices alongside modern entertainment.
Source : DAirynews7x7 Jan 19th 2026 The Hindu and others