Jallikattu 2023 Date: history, significance and important facts.

Jallikattu 2023 Date

This year Jallikattu will be held between January 15 and 17 in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district.

What is Jallikattu?

Jallakattu is an essential part of the Hindu festival of Tamil culture. It is celebrated by the farmers there to purify their Bulls. The Jallikattu is derived from two words “Calli” and “Kattu”. Here “Calli” means ‘coin‘ and “Kattu” means “a bundle of coins to the bull’s horn“.

Historical Background of Jallikattu

Jallikattu has been known to be practiced during the Tamil classical period (400–100 BCE). It was common among the Ayar people who lived in the ‘Mullai’ geographical division of the ancient Tamizh Nadu. Later, it became a platform for the display of bravery, and prize money was introduced for participation encouragement. A seal from the Indus Valley civilization depicting the practice is preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi.  A cave painting in white kaolin discovered near Madurai depicting a lone man trying to control a bull is estimated to be about 1,500 years old.

Significance of Jallikattu Festival

Jallikattu is a conventional means by which the peasant society protects their local bulls of pure origin. Preservationists and peasants contend that Jallikattu is a method to safeguard these male bulls that are generally utilized solely for meat, if not for farming when cow breeding is frequently an artificial procedure.

Important facts about Jallikattu

• The celebration of Jallikattu is mentioned in Silappatikaram, the great epics of the Tamil classical period, and other ancient texts.
• It is a historical sport from the Tamil Classical Age (400-100 BC).
• Jallikattu is also known as Yeruthazhuvuthal, Madu Pidithal, and Pollerudhu Pidithal.
• At Jallikattu, thousands of people attempt to tame the bulls by clinging to their horns or bums.