Devotee worth his weight in gold

The idol Lord Mahavishnu at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple in Kerala, India, was given a donation of 70 kilograms worth of gold by a devotee of the thulabharam ritual, yesterday.

It was a Bangalore-based managing director, TNC Menon who performed the ritual at the temple and he made the offering in gold biscuits.

Thulabharam is a religious ritual that requires a devotee to weigh themselves and then offer an equivalent weight of an offering of their choice in return for the fulfilling of a vow.

According to the Hindu, the ritual was subject to tight security, allowing for the expensive offering on behalf of Mr Menon and the gold was deposited immediately in the strongroom at the temple after the ritual had taken place.

The next event taking place at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple is Narayaneeyam on December 14th. This is a recital of the work created by Narayana and an explanation of its meaning to the general public.