Tiruvannamalai temple elephant gets a new name

The temple elephant at the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai has officially been named 'Namasivayam'. Ministers Aadhav Arjuna and Ramesh visited the arena where the animal is kept and announced the new name during their inspection. The elephant arrived from Assam on September 24 and was previously called 'Hiralal'.

Officials Present

The naming ceremony took place in the presence of Collector Vandhana Garg and S. Bharanidharan, who serves as the Joint Commissioner for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department in Tiruvannamalai. Temple authorities confirmed that devotees can now view the animal within the temple premises, and safety measures have been put in place around its resting area.

Context

Temple elephants are a common feature in many large South Indian temples and often hold deep cultural significance for local devotees. Bringing animals from other states like Assam involves careful coordination between forest departments and religious trusts to ensure their proper care in new environments.