The sport was held at Pudukottai, Trichy and Ramanathapuram districts while bullock cart races were organised in Coimbatore and Theni, officials said.
At Pudukottai, two participants were severely injured and died on the way to a hospital, police said. Several others were also hurt in the incident.
The sport involves young men latching on to the hump of bulls. The one who manages to stay put even after the animal makes three jumps is declared a winner.
At times, the participants are thrown off the back of bulls or get gored by the animal. It was not clear how the deaths in Pudukottai occurred.
The events were held after week-long state-wide protests by students and youths and followed the promulgation of an ordinance by the Tamil Nadu government amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to hold Jallikatttu. The sport was banned by the Supreme Court in May 2014.
However, Jallikattu did not take place in Alanganallur in Madurai district as no preparations had been done.
Attempts to hold the event at Natham Kovilpatti in Dindigul district failed due to protests against Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s wish to inaugurate the event.
Speaking in Madurai on his way to Chennai, the chief minister said: “Jallikattu is being held at several places in the state. At Alanganallur it will be held when the people want it.
“Jallikattu cannot be stopped by anybody,” Panneerselvam added.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to assist his government in its efforts to hold Jallikattu.
The government will today place in the assembly a bill for holding Jallikattu. It is expected to pass with majority support.
Meanwhile, the massive youth protest on Chennai’s Marina Beach entered its seventh day yesterday. Some people fainted at the venue owing to the severe heat.
The protest that started with a handful of a people on January 17 morning is now attracting lakhs.
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