Temple panchyderm performs plays mouth organ

Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, Sep 30 (UNI) Hundreds of devotees congregated at Sri Ranga Nachiyar Shrine at the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple to watch the temple pachyderm peform a 'musical,' playing a mouth organ accompanied by dancing.

The annual event is part of the 'Navaratri' celebrations. Clad in green and red silk vasthram (robe), sporting a silk 'netri pattam' and wearing silver anklets, Andal was the cynosure of all eyes as she swayed to the 'sound of music.' Part of the cultural events organised during the nine-day festival, Andal, with a 'Samaram' (hand-made traditional fan) in its trunk, made rhythmic movements.

Children were particularly attracted to her playing the mouth organ.

Mahout Siva Sridharan (48) told UNI Andal was trained in using 'Samaram,' dancing and playing mouth organ.

Andal woke up early in the morning and took bath in Cauvery River before taking the 'Theertha Kudam' (holy water pot) to the temple.

She was the first to have darshan of Lord Ranganatha, the presiding deity of the temple.

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