Tamil Nadu: Massive Crowds at Melapalayam Cattle Market Ahead of Eid al-Adha; Business Worth Up to ₹3 Crore

Tamil Nadu: The renowned Melapalayam cattle market in the southern districts is currently making headlines due to heavy crowds and brisk business activity. Considered the largest cattle market in the region, it hosts a market for cows every Monday and a market for goats every Tuesday. Traders from a wide area—including Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, and Madurai, as well as from neighboring Kerala—flock here in large numbers to buy and sell livestock.

The market is currently witnessing a particularly vibrant atmosphere, as Bakrid—a major festival of the Islamic faith—is scheduled to be celebrated on Thursday, May 28. Driven by the upcoming festival, the demand for livestock has surged, resulting in massive crowds of buyers and sellers converging at the Melapalayam market.

On Monday, the market recorded substantial sales of cows, with a large volume of cattle changing hands. Similarly, on Tuesday, a massive number of goats were brought to the market for sale, keeping the entire premises bustling with activity throughout the day. Traders and farmers from various districts arrived at the market with their livestock, and the process of buying and selling continued uninterrupted throughout the day.

Additionally, sheep were brought for sale from areas such as Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Kovilpatti, Puthiyaputhur, Ettayapuram, and Ramanathapuram. There was a high demand in the market for various breeds of sheep, including indigenous varieties, Mayilambadi, and Pottu sheep. Depending on their breed and quality, the prices for these sheep ranged from ₹15,000 to ₹40,000.

According to traders, the approaching Bakrid festival has triggered a sudden surge in the demand for livestock, leading to a noticeable rise in prices. Several traders reported that business worth approximately ₹3 crore was transacted in a single day—a figure that underscores the significance of this market and the intensity of its commercial activities.

While the Melapalayam market typically witnesses a similar festive bustle every year in the run-up to Bakrid, reports suggest that this year, both the crowd size and the volume of business have surpassed previous levels. The local administration also appears active in controlling the crowds and maintaining order.

Overall, the Melapalayam cattle market currently remains a major hub for the rural economy and cattle trade in southern Tamil Nadu, where festive demand has given fresh momentum to business activity.