Attingal: The Mamam Cattle Fair, which once proclaimed the grandeur of farming culture, is now rendered almost a devalued tradition and is fading into oblivion. The cattle fair, which was a symbol of agricultural life, is now becoming a memory.

During the royal era, the Mamam Cattle Fair was renowned throughout Travancore. Hundreds of cattle were brought and sold here from various districts, as well as from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The fair was held on Mondays.

With the cessation of agriculture and allied activities, the operations of the cattle fair also dwindled. Currently, the fair operates only nominally, with very few cattle being brought.

As direct buying and selling now occur via mobile phones, fewer cattle are brought to the fair. Traders say that meat sellers directly contact them by phone to purchase cattle brought by lorries for slaughter.

About 4.5 acres of the total land was allocated for a coconut complex three decades ago. The cattle market operates on approximately five acres of the remaining land. About two and a half decades ago, an attempt was made to relocate the private bus depot here, but it was not successful.

For this purpose, several buildings, including a resting place, were constructed, spending lakhs of rupees. However, locals stated that the dispute regarding the property's ownership is currently pending in court.