In some parts of Tamilnadu , notably Alanganallur ( near Madurai ) , some Tamil people hold annual event around Pongal festival : an unarmed bullfighting . The ancient Tamil art of unarmed bullfighting , popular amongst warriors in the classical period , has also survived in parts of Tamil Nadu , notably Alanganallur near Madurai , where it is known as Jallikaá á u or maÃ cuviraá á u and is held once a year around the time of the Pongal festival .