Lifestyle
A pair of bulls race across a waterlogged rice paddy while their guides grip a harness or tail, sliding through the mud. It is also known as 'Pothottam' & 'Kalapootu' in Malayalam.
The freshly ploughed fields are filled with muddy water that splashes as the bulls race forward, guided by their guides.
After farming, the field is ploughed, the water flow is controlled and the garbage is removed and cleaned.
A pair of oxen is managed by a team of three, forming a participating unit. Around 30 such units compete in the race, which begins at noon & continues until dusk.
The bulls are specifically fed and trained for this competition, and the participants, or "surfers," are also well-trained in the sport.
There is a custom of bringing bulls from other states for a price of gold to participate in the Bull Surfing.
Winners of the competition will receive several prizes including a cash award. The bull surfing is held in Pathanamthitta, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts.