The bull-taming sport of Jallikattu continues in south India as part of the four-day harvest festival of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

The event was held in Palamedu, Madurai, on January 16 with as many as 700 bulls and 936 tamers registered for the event.

A further 100 veterinarians and a team of 10 doctors was brought in to attend to the numerous contestants, however reportedly at least 25 people were injured.

The bull-taming sport that involves an aggressive confrontation between cattle and humans is very popular in the state. If the participant manages to hang on to the hump of the bull for a specific distance, he is declared a winner.

The tradition is very dangerous to attempt and at least 70 people have been injured and one farmer has died so far this year as a result of the sport.

Jallikattu was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014 but after a fortnight of massive protests by thousands of people, the Tamil Nadu and central governments stepped in to reverse the bar.

'Jallikattu’(Bull taming) marks the start of the four-day harvest festival of Pongal in Tamil Nadu. The bull-taming sport that involves an aggressive confrontation between cattle and humans is very popular in the state. The bull-taming event held in Palamedu of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday in the presence of over 100 veterinarians and a team of doctors. Every year, more than 2,000 bulls participate in Jallikattu, which will be held till 31st January. In Palamedu, as many as 700 bulls, and 936 tamers have registered for the event. Owing to a large number of participants, a 50-member medical team has been kept on standby along with 10 doctors. The elaborate arrangements have been made to curb any loss of life.

Clad in green, White, Yellow jersey shirts, a swarm of people stands in the open ground. Loud cheers from the stands engulf the ground. As the festival begins, the ‘Jallikattu’ bull charges and the crowds go ecstatic. If the participant manages to hang on to the hump of the bull for a specific distance, he is declared a winner. A public address system constantly announces if the animal or the man is the winner.A huge number of spectators, including children and foreign tourists, gather in the stands to watch the event.

Jallikattu was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014 but after a fortnight of massive protests by thousands of people, the Tamil Nadu and central governments stepped in to reverse the bar.