Tiruvannamalai village bullish over rare rabbit run

Though Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts are known for bull runs, Nallur village near Vandavasi witnessed a ‘rabbit run’ on Thursday. Local people who spoke to DT Next said traditionally they used foxes for this practice, “but as we were unable to get foxes for the last five years, we now use rabbits instead”.

A rabbit, taken care of by a resident for 15 days, was brought to the village ground where the animal was placed on a decorated tractor facing a Draupadi Amman temple in the East in the morning, even as a big crowd gathered to witness the event.

The rabbit was then garlanded and vermilion was applied on its forehead before it was taken on a procession covering all four directions. The rabbit was then brought to the temple and children were allowed to touch it for ‘divine blessings’. After the priest conducted poojas, it was set free, with members in the rapturous crowd chasing it.

But the little animal had different plans. Sensing freedom, it eluded those who tried to capture it and took refuge in a cane field from where it could not be traced. On the reason behind the strange tradition, locals said it was to ensure peace and harmony in the village. The ‘rabbit run’ was witnessed by residents of Theyyar, Sogathur and Eramallur villages.