'Sacred' lemon sold for Dh433 at auction

Erode - There were other items like coconuts, fruits, and silver vessels which were also up for auction.

A lemon which had been used during the 'pooja' (act of worshipping) in a temple in Tamil Nadu fetched Rs7,600 (Dh433) at an auction.
The 'Pazhathinni Karupannan' temple in Erode district held an auction as part of a temple fest 'Mahashivratri' and the lemon, along with other items offered during the worship, was put up for sale.
According to the temple authorities quoted in Hindustan Times, as part of rituals, all items used for performing 'pooja' in temples are auctioned and the proceeds are used for the temple's administration. The items offered to deities are believed to become sacred by the worshippers and thus fetch high value while sold.

The lemon was put up for auction on Friday by the authorities of 'Pazhathinni Karupannan' temple and was bought by a man named Shanmugam from Olapalayam village. There were other items like coconuts, fruits, and silver vessels which were also up for auction.

• India