Pongal 2025 in Coimbatore: Jallikattu bulls display in front of a textile showroom

Shoppers meet Jallikattu champions as a textile showroom in Coimbatore showcases breeds of Indian bulls this Pongal

Cross Cut Road in Gandhipuram is no stranger to festive crowds, but this Pongal, Shree Devi Textiles has managed to draw an entirely different kind of audience. A week before Pongal, on a golden sunny evening, the attention of the gathering outside the textile showroom wasn’t on sarees or festive discounts but on five majestic bulls standing serenely at the showroom’s entrance, styled like a traditional vaadivasal (the gate through which bulls enter the arena in Jallikattu). P Sivaganesh, the owner of the textile showroom and Managing Trustee of Vellingiri Gaushala — a sanctuary for 230 bulls nestled at the foothills of the Vellingiri Hills — stood nearby, engaging the media and passers-by. “Most of these bulls are Jallikattu veterans,” he explains, “They’re retired or nearing retirement now, but they’ve been part of our culture and history.”

The breeds on display include Theni Ice Marai, Kaariaapatti Marai, Kangeyam Kaari, Pulikulam Semmaal, and Kankrej Rajasthan

Visitors stare in fascination, many pulling out their phones for a selfie with the animals. While some may see it as a clever marketing ploy, Sivaganesh views the initiative as a celebration of Tamil heritage, reminding people of the cultural and historical bond between bulls and the sport of Jallikattu.

“When the Supreme Court issued an order to ban Jallikattu in 2016-17, many bull owners in Madurai and nearby districts were forced to sell their bulls, often to slaughterhouses,” he says, “That’s when we decided to step in. We bought around 210 bulls from markets in places like Vadipatti and Alanganallur and transported them to our Gaushala at the foothills of the Vellingiri Hills. Now, we care for 230 bulls, all of which are treated like stars.”

“They are the least aggressive bulls, selected to ensure safety. Many of them have won prizes in Jallikattu,” Sivaganesh explains, “By showcasing them, we want to remind urban audiences that Pongal is more than just new clothes and sugarcane. Bulls are integral to our culture.”

Sivan, a caretaker at Vellingiri Gaushala, shares his perspective. “I’ve worked here for 10 years and also have 12 bulls of my own,” he says, introducing Kabali, a Kankrej bull. “We don’t use Kabali for Jallikattu but for transportation and exhibitions.”

“Training bulls for Jallikattu is a rigorous process,” he explains, “Every morning, we take them for walks, train them to push their horns into the ground, and simulate the competitive environment. We also ensure they’re well-fed, bathed, and exercised daily, including swimming.”