Action-packed: The manjuvirattu at Siravayal near Tirupattur in Sivaganga district on Thursday saw participation of bulls, tamers and spectators from many districts.
| Photo Credit: L. BALACHANDAR

One person was gored to death and more than 120 people were injured at the famous manjuvirattu at Siravayal near Tirupattur in Sivaganga district on Thursday.

A bull owner, who was returning home, was also killed when he attempted to save his bull which ran amok and ran into a tank full of wild weeds. Later Fire and Rescue Services personnel recovered the body of the man and the bull. Both the bodies got trapped in the tank as they were entangled in water hyacinth.

It is said that after the event was over, brothers Britto and Thynis Raja of Avanthipatti near Tirupattur were returning home. Their bull suddenly ran into the Kamuni tank near Kannur. Thynis Raja, 40, tried to catch the bull which got entangled in the water hyacinth in the tank. He also got trapped in the wild weeds and drowned.

Thynis Raja, a driver, has been living with his family in Vellore district. Nachiapuram police have registered a case and are investigating.

The manjuvirattu witnessed participation of over 240 bulls and 165 bull tamers. Among the 120 injured were a Sub-Inspector of Police and eight bull tamers. Among them 27 had multiple injuries and were rushed to hospitals in Tirupattur, Karaikudi and Sivaganga. A spectator, Subbiah of Chinna Unjanai near Devakottai, succumbed to the injuries at a hospital in Karaikudi.

ADSP Kalai Kathiravan, who was monitoring the security arrangements, also suffered injury after a bull hit him.

To mark the beginning of Tamil month, Thai, the manjuvirattu is organised by the Perianayaki and Thenaatchi Amman Temple.

Earlier, Collector Asha Ajith administered the pledge to the bull tamers in the presence of Minister for Cooperation KR Periakaruppan who flagged off the manjuvirattu.

Cheering the bull tamers and the bulls, spectators from far and wide participated in a big way. The first to enter the arena were the temple bulls. The temple priests and the organisers presented dhotis and saris to the bulls as a mark of respect prior to the commencement of the manjuvirattu.

Superintendent of Police Ashish Rawat and his team supervised the security arrangements. Police personnel were deployed at key points. Devakottai Sub-Collector Ayush Venkat Vats, DRO Selva surabhi, MLA Mangudi and others participated.

The best bulls and tamers bagged special prizes, including LED TVs, cots, cycles, saris and mixers.

Bulls from Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Tiruchi, Madurai and Dindigul districts were let off in the Siravayal Pottal and Kumanangudi Pottal adjacent to the manjuvirattu arena in Siravayal.