Haveri
Bull-taming, a rural sport locally called Hori Habba, will begin in the Haveri district soon. Similarly, a traditional sport, Jallikattu, in Tamil Naduis also held during the harvesting season, between the Deepavali and Sankranti festivals. The Hallikar or Amrit Mahal breed of bull will be made to run on the track, and participants will vie to catch it.
Incidentally, the event has turned into a money-spinner; in recent times, many companies have sponsored gold ornaments, bikes, and electronic gadgets as prizes. Bulls worth over Rs 10 lakh are used for the event. The preparations have been on for the last two months by training the bulls to participate in these games. The state government has allowed the event on the lines of Jallikattu by issuing a notification. Also, the Karnataka government brought out a bill to exempt Kambala and Hori Habba from the SC diktat.
According to sources, more than 200 taming events are being held in the Haveri district, including urban and rural areas. At least 250-300 bulls will participate in each event. Prizes like two-wheelers, fridges, gold, and other household items will be given to the owners of the bull, which will win in the match.
Malleshappa, a farmer and a bull owner said, my bull is called Vasana Brahma and it is a mixed breed of Amrit Mahal and Hallikar. I bought it from Rayakote village in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu for Rs 1.2 lakh about four years back. After I trained it for the bull-taming competition, it covered a 250-meter distance in just eight to nine seconds in competition. The bull has been winning several prizes for the last two years, and now it is worth Rs 18 lakh.
