Andhra Jallikattu draws hundreds of youth near Tirupati

The traditional Pasuvula Panduga, which has recently come to be known as ‘Andhra Jallikattu’, was organised with enthusiasm at Pullaiahgaripalle village of Chandragiri mandal of Tirupati district. An unexpected turn of events led to a change in venue this year. The festival, usually organised at Rangampeta village in the same mandal, was halted at the last hour following the demise of a resident of the village.

Hundreds of youths participated in the competitions along with a large number of decorated cattle. The festival drew sizeable crowds from surrounding villages. The youth competed to stop the frenzied bulls adorned with colourful ornaments and wooden plaques tied to their horns. The festive mood reverberated with loud cheers and drumbeats. Barring minor injuries to a few youth and an elderly woman, the event went off peacefully.

The cattle festival, a three-century-old tradition in Chandragiri mandal, differs from Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu. Organisers and farmers clarify that the event would be organized purely as a cultural celebration without betting or prize money, and as a mark of gratitude to livestock that support the agrarian economy round the year.

Meanwhile, the Kanuma festival was celebrated with fervour in the Kuppam and Palamaner region, which is known for having the highest concentration of dairy farmers and livestock in the Rayalaseema region. The dairy farmers woke up in the early hours, cleansed cattlesheds, and worshipped their livestock. Cattle decorated with flowers and colour-boards were paraded in the rural side. A couple of bull-race organizers said the events would be scheduled in Kuppam, Ramakuppam and Gudupalle mandals from Monday till the third week of February. Unlike the cattle festival of Chandragiri, this Kuppam edition of bull races has close similarities with the Tamil Nadu version.

Some private dairy units operating in the Kuppam came out with advance payments to farmers two days ahead of Kanuma, offering financial support during the festive season.