Babu / Reuters

Villagers try to control a bull during a bull-taming festival on the outskirts of Madurai, India, on Jan. 17, 2012. The annual jallikattu bull-taming festival is celebrated as part of south India's harvest festival of Pongal.

Babu / Reuters

Babu / Reuters

Indian newspaper The Hindu has an informative introduction to the ancient ritual of jallikattu:

It requires quick reflexes and a fleet foot to tame the recalcitrant bull, which will try to get away, shake off the fighter and, at times, stamp or gore the fallen participants.

The article also contains a somewhat sobering graphic that illustrates the kind of injuries that can be suffered by those taking part.

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