Pongal games galore near Valliyur

Traditional sports competitions held as part of the Pongal celebrations drew large crowds at Vadalivilai village near Valliyur in Tirunelveli district on Wednesday. The annual event, organised with festive fervour, showcased rural strength sports, with the Ilavattakal stone-lifting contest emerging as the main attraction.
Round stones weighing 45 kg, 60 kg, 95 kg and 129 kg were used in the competitions, which saw enthusiastic participation from students and adults alike. Contestants were judged on their ability to lift the stones above their heads, balance them with one hand for the longest duration, and repeatedly hoist them onto their shoulders and around their heads. Women competitors impressed spectators by matching men in lifting the 45 kg and 60 kg stones with remarkable ease. In the women’s category, Rajakumari clinched first place by lifting the 60 kg stone 26 times, while Lezin secured second place.
In the men’s category, Jeba Jensen won first prize by lifting a 120 kg stone, followed by Puvin in second place and Mahendran in third.
The event highlighted the enduring popularity of traditional village sports in the Valliyur region and the growing participation of women in strength-based competitions during Pongal festivities.