Donkeys 'tie knot' for world peace in temple

Tiruchirapalli, Jul 17: In an unusual prayer for world peace, residents of Poovalur village near Lalgudi, here performed marriage to two donkeys in the ancient Sri Thirumoola Natha Swamy Temple.

A male and female donkey were yesterday brought to a specially decorated dais put up inside the temple. While the 'bridegroom' was adorned with a silk dhoti the 'bride' wore a silk jacket and saree.

After garlanding the donkeys amidst chanting of vedic hymns by the priests, a villager tied the nuptial knot on behalf of the male donkey, to the female.

Over 3000 people congregated at the temple to witness the 'wedding', which is normally organised in Namakkal area for appeasing rain god.

The villagers told sources that the 'Karththvya Vivaham' was organised to appease the Almighty for world peace, prosperous trade and agriculture and to remove hindrances in marriages. Later, the 'couple' were taken in procession through the village, where many people took 'aarathi' for them. A common feast was also organised in which more than 1,000 people participated.

After the rituals, the two donkeys were donated to the temple.

UNI