In an unusual prayer for world peace, residents of Poovalur village near Lalgudi, performed the marriage of two donkeys in the ancient Sri Thirumoola Natha Swamy Temple.

A male and female donkey were brought to a specially decorated dais put up inside the temple on Sunday. While the 'bridegroom' was adorned with a silk dhoti, the 'bride' wore a silk jacket and saree.

After garlanding the donkeys amidst chanting of vedic hymns by the priests, a villager tied the nuptial knot on behalf of the male donkey, to the female.

Over 3000 people congregated at the temple to witness the 'wedding', which is normally organized in the Namakkal area, traditionally used for appeasing rain god.

The villagers said that the 'Karththvya Vivaham' was organized to appease the Almighty for world peace, prosperous trade and agriculture and to remove hindrances in marriages.

Later, the 'couple' were taken in a procession through the village.

A common wedding feast was also organized in which more than 1,000 people participated. After the rituals, the two donkeys were donated to the temple.