NE SPORTS BUREAU
COIMBATORE, MARCH 19
Bull taming or jallikattu is the adventure game of Tamil Nadu’s Southern Districts to conclude Pongal festivities. Similarly, rekla races are the adventure game of Kongu Tamils. As an icing on the cake of Mahashivratri celebrations, the first-ever Rekla Race (Bullock Cart Race) was conducted on Sunday at the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore in its full grandeur. More than 400 bullock carts participated in two categories, namely 200 meters and 300 meters.
The race was a significant component in the 9-day Tamil Thembu celebrations that commenced after Mahashivratri, with thousands of people attending the event. A cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh was awarded to the owners of the first-place bullock cart in both categories. The second prize of Rs. 50,000, third prize of Rs. 25,000, and fourth prize of Rs. 15,000 were presented to the winners. Additionally, the 5th to 15th place winners were honored with Rs. 3,000 each, and the 16th to 30th place winners were awarded Rs. 2,000 each.
The Rekla Race marked the culmination of Tamil Thembu, a nine-day cultural celebration that showcases the rich spiritual heritage of Tamil Nadu through diverse events, including exhibitions, folk art performances, Kollam, and a country cattle market. The festival also featured a display of native Indian cattle breeds from various states and a Siddha medicine stall that introduced visitors to traditional medicinal systems. Thousands of people around Tamil Nadu, as well as volunteers and guests at Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, from various parts of the world, attended the event.
