with start of the Pongal festival, the sport of Jallikattu also kicked off at Avaniyapuram in Madurai on Wednesday.

More than 2,000 bulls will participate in Jallikattu, which will be held till January 31 in the state. 730 bulls in Avaniyapuram, 700 bulls in Alanganallur and 650 bulls in Palamedu are participating in Jallikattu competitions this year.

Retired Principal District Judge C Manickam, who has been appointed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, visited the venue in Madurai where the Jallikattu event was to be held to examine the arrangements made ahead of the start of the competition.

"We have divided the players into a batch of 75 each, 60 bulls will be released. Top police officials are present at the spot to deal with any situation," Manickam told reporters here.

Regarding the facilities on the spot, he added, "District Collector, along with a local minister, has examined the arrangements. Twenty-one 108 ambulance are ready to provide medical facility to the injured players."