Madurai:The renowned bull taming event "Jallikattu" began in Tamil Nadu with traditional fervour and enthusiasm at Avaniyapuram in this district on Thursday.
Minister for Cooperation Sellur K Raju and District Collector T Anbalagan flagged off the event at 0800 hours that will go on till 1600 hours.
It is the first officially permitted Jallikattu event organized as part of the ongoing Pongal festivities in the state.Official sources said, around 430 tamers and 830 registered bulls were participating in the day-long event.
Former AICC President Rahul Gandhi will watch the Avaniyapuram Jallikattu today -- in what is scheduled to be his first visit to the state ahead of this year's assembly election as part of the party's "Rahulin Tamizh Vanakkam" initiative.
Mr Gandhi, who will arrive by a special flight at Madurai from New Delhi this afternoon, will drive straight to the venue.
After witnessing the event for a couple of hours, he will return to the National Capital.The Congress leader will be accompanied by TNCC president K.S.Alagiri, Congress Legislative Party Leader K.R.Ramasamy and DMK's youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin and others.
Around 2,000 policemen were deployed at the Jallikattu venue under the direct supervision of Commissioner of Police Prem Anand Sinha.
The Jallikattu event is being conducted by ensuring compliance with the COVID-19 safety norms. Arrangements have been made in the spectators' gallery to ensure personal distancing. The spectators were allowed after undergoing thermal screening and wearing face masks.
The Palamedu Jallikattu will be held on Friday.Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam will witness the World-renowned Alanganallur Jallikattu event here on Saturday.(UNI)