Anthiyur horse fair. File
| Photo Credit: M. Govarthan
A dispute over the venue of the annual horse and cattle fair held in connection with the Arulmigu Gurunathaswamy Temple car festival at Pudupalayam in Anthiyur of Erode district was resolved following talks held on Tuesday (June 30, 2026).
The temple’s annual car festival is scheduled to be held from August 12 to 15. The traditional horse fair, organised as part of the festival on the road leading to the Konnamarathu Ayyan Temple, became the subject of a dispute after the Horse Breeders’ Association sought to shift it to Koochikkallur on the Vellithiruppur Road, citing inadequate facilities at the existing venue.
According to the association, the site becomes slushy and waterlogged during the monsoon, making it difficult to park vehicles transporting horses and causing inconvenience to traders and visitors. The proposal was opposed by local residents and the temple administration, who insisted that the fair continue at its traditional venue.
During the meeting held at the temple, the temple administration assured horse owners that around 10 acres of land would be earmarked for temporary sheds and vehicle parking. Following the assurance, the association agreed to continue holding the fair at its existing venue, bringing to an end a week-long dispute. The meeting was chaired by Anthiyur MLA P. Haribaskar.
Published – July 01, 2026 05:29 pm IST