KALLAKURICHI: A 27-year-old man died as the Ilavatta Kal, a spherical stone, he tried to lift in a competition during Pongal celebrations at a village near Ulundurpet in Kallakurichi district, fell on his face on Wednesday.
Police said lifting Ilavatta Kal was part of the Pongal competitions organised at Senthanadu village. P Prabhu, who had enrolled for the contest, tried to lift the heavy stone when it fell on his face. The man suffered grievous injuries on the face and head.
Villagers rushed him to a government general hospital where a doctor declared him brought dead.
The Thirunavalur police registered a case and began investigations.
Lifting Illavata Kal, a spherical, smooth, granite ball weighing close to 80kg, is a traditional village sport in the olden days to determine the masculinity of a potential groom.
Police said lifting Ilavatta Kal was part of the Pongal competitions organised at Senthanadu village. P Prabhu, who had enrolled for the contest, tried to lift the heavy stone when it fell on his face. The man suffered grievous injuries on the face and head.
Villagers rushed him to a government general hospital where a doctor declared him brought dead.
The Thirunavalur police registered a case and began investigations.
Lifting Illavata Kal, a spherical, smooth, granite ball weighing close to 80kg, is a traditional village sport in the olden days to determine the masculinity of a potential groom.
