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TARUKA (Nepal): Thousands of spectators packed a makeshift arena in Nepal's Himalayan foothills Thursday to cheer a bullfighting festival whose popularity dates back to the 19th century.
Unlike its Spanish counterpart, Nepalese bullfighting requires no matadors as the bulls — usually buffalo — fight each other in a contest to mark the Maghe Sankranti festival which heralds the end of winter according to the Hindu calendar.
Around 5,000 people descended on the dusty village of Taruka, 35 kilometres (22 miles) northwest of the capital Kathmandu, to watch 16 pairs of bulls butt heads, with the winner of each bout taking home 2,000 Nepalese rupees (around $20) in prize money.
Unlike its Spanish counterpart, Nepalese bullfighting requires no matadors as the bulls — usually buffalo — fight each other in a contest to mark the Maghe Sankranti festival which heralds the end of winter according to the Hindu calendar.
Around 5,000 people descended on the dusty village of Taruka, 35 kilometres (22 miles) northwest of the capital Kathmandu, to watch 16 pairs of bulls butt heads, with the winner of each bout taking home 2,000 Nepalese rupees (around $20) in prize money.
Some of those present were watching the festival for the first time but many were repeat visitors, drawn to the spectacle year after year.
Spectators watch two bulls fighting in Nepal's Taruka village, some 80km from Kathmandu, on January 15, 2015. (AFP photo
Spectators watch two bulls fighting in Nepal's Taruka village, some 80km from Kathmandu, on January 15, 2015. (AFP photo
Villagers play musical instruments as they celebrate Maghe Sankranti in Nepal's Taruka village at the venue of the bullfighting there. (AFP photo)
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