The Annual five-day festival of Arulmigu Gurunatha swamy Temple at Pudupalayam, Tamilnadu, is not visited by just devotees but also thousands of cattle are brought too.
It is not only the temple car festival but also the cattle festival. Leading to the temple, hundreds of temporary shops are erected on both sides of the road for over three km, for a display of indigenous breed of cows and horses at the cattle festival which raises the festive mood of the devotees.
This year’s five-day annual festival got off to a flying start with devotees carrying the two decorated temple cars with the main deities, Sri Kamatchi, Sri Perumal and Sri Gurunathaswamy on their shoulders in the morning yesterday. The cars were moved on amidst drum beats and playing of traditional musical instruments. This marks the beginning of the festival which brings devotees from other parts of the State and across the other states too.
The key attraction in the carnival is the livestock and cattle, numbering over 18,000 to 20,000, which is both for display and for sale. Each breeds were allotted separate place and visitors have to cover over two acres to witness the displays. Displays include indigenous and nearly extinct Alambadi and Bargur breeds, Ongole cows and many other breed varieties from North India too.
Devotees say that this is not just a festival, but a chance for the new generation youngsters to learn about cattle and village fair.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) started operating special buses from various parts of the district to the temporary bus stand in Pudupalayam.
