The four-day festival, held during the Tamil month of Aadi, began with idols of Sri Kamatchi, Sri Perumal and Sri Gurunathaswamy being taken in procession to Vanakovil. The cattle and horse fair, spread over nearly 25 acres of farmland near the temple, has a history of more than 200 years. According to traders, Tipu Sultan, the erstwhile ruler of Mysore, had purchased horses from the fair for his army. More than 1,200 horses, including Marwari horses from Rajasthan, Kathiawari horses from Gujarat and Sindhi breeds, have reportedly been brought for sale. More than 10,000 cattle, including Kangeyam bulls, Bargur cattle, Alambadi and Umblachery breeds and dwarf cows, are also being displayed.