Date:14/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/14/stories/2008011457690100.htm

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Temple gets new elephant

C. Jaishankar

It reached Rameswaram after travelling for about 2,000 kms from Bihar.

New abode: The new elephant at the Rameswaram temple.

RAMANATHAPURAM: A five-year-old ‘princess’ from Bihar will soon don the role of the official elephant of Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram.

While temple authorities have begun preparations to conduct a grand ceremony, the ‘Pattathu Yanai’ is also getting ready to bless devotees and lead all temple ceremonies and festivals. The elephant, donated by noted industrialist Ramasubramania Raja of Rajapalayam, succeeds Bhavani which has completed nearly 45 years of service to the temple and was donated by the same family.

The elephant, bought in Bihar, reached Rameswaram after travelling about 2,000 kms. A team of elephant experts selected her after studying the temple needs.

As soon as the elephant reached the temple, a large number of devotees, children, temple staff and others received it with garlands. Preliminary pujas were also performed.

“It is exciting to see the new little princess of the temple which is popular all over the country. I’ve been seeing the calm Bhavani for the last 40 years. I hope, the new princess will serve the temple for several decades and bless devotees from different parts of the country,” said a 70-year-old devotee.

Temple authorities said the formal induction ceremony would be held this month-end.