Fox Jallikattu: a unique celebration

SALEM: It’s not just Jallikattu (taming of bull) that has been banned in Tamil Nadu. The ‘fox jallikattu’,   a unique Pongal celebration in Vazhapadi taluk  in Salem district, too,  has been banned by the State forest department for the second successive year.

Villagers of Vazhapadi used to celebrate Pongal by parading a fox through the streets.  But for the second year now, Forest department has banned the centuries-old tradition called Vanganari jallikattu. Villagers who snare a fox in farm lands or in the jungles will face seven year imprisonment and Rs 25,000 fine, forest officials have warned.

The villagers of Vazhapadi taluk believe that waking up to the sight of a fox brings them good tidings. So, every Pongal festival, men in Vazhapadi used to spread a net in the forest fringes, snare a fox and  parade them on the village roads amid drum beats.

Later, they would let the fox run round the village to the lusty cheers of children and women. Then, the animal would be released from from where it was caught.

Till two  years ago, 'vanganari jallikattu’ was celebrated with  fervour in Chinnamanaickenpalayam, Renganur, Mathur, Periyakrishnapuram, Kottavadi, Gopalapuram and Melavaram villages.

“We have banned the use of fox in the festival. Violators will face seven years imprisonment and '25,000 fine,” said the forest ranger of Vazhapadi, M.Anbazhagan.

However, villagers have appealed to the district administration to let them celebrate 'fox jallikattu’ as they do not cause any harm to the animal.