Dozens were left with injuries after taking part in a dangerous bull taming festival in Palamedu, Tamil Nadu.

Footage from January 15 shows the Jallikattu festival in action as competitors attempt to grapple a bull.

Around 36 people were injured in the event that involved 700 bulls and 300 competitors.

India’s southern state Tamil Nadu annually holds a spectacle of bull-taming, which is a key part of the harvest festival. During Jallikattu, a Zebo (Bos indicus bull) is released into a crowd of men who are trying to stop and take the beast. Bos indicus bulls are usually bred specially for the event. This event is associated with strength and courage and honors the bull owners.

Around 700 bulls and 300 tamers have been permitted to take part in the palamedu event after proper scrutiny and medical tests. The tamers and bulls were selected through randomization and were issued a slip containing a QR code. At least 36 people were injured in the event. Most spectators were seen without masks, and there was no physical distancing, despite the officials asking them to adhere to the COVID-19 precautionary protocols.

In a bid to ensure compliance to stand operating procedures of Covid-19 and prevent untoward incidents, as many as 1,000 police personnel have been deployed at various points.