Tamil Nadu’s first jallikattu of 2026 started with great energy at Thatchankurichi village in Gandharvakottai taluk, Pudukottai district on Saturday, January 3. The festival is a popular bull-taming event in the State. The event was officially opened by Minister for Natural Resources S. Regupathy and Minister for Backward Classes Welfare Siva V. Meyyanathan. District Collector M. Aruna took the oath from the bull tamers. Excited crowds cheered as the bulls entered the arena through the ‘vadivasal’. Around 600 bulls and at least 300 tamers joined this traditional contest. Safety was a top priority. Over 250 police officers were deployed to manage the crowd and maintain order. Medical teams were ready with seven mobile units and 30 health officials, along with five veterinary teams having 20 staff members to take care of injured participants and bulls. Thorough medical checks were done on bulls and tamers before they entered the arena. Ambulances and medical staff were stationed near the arena and bull collection areas. Eight ambulances stood by to rush injured people to Gandharvakottai Government Hospital quickly.