{
  "id": 15406019,
  "title": "Arunachaleswarar temple elephant in Tiruvannamalai named ‘Namasivayam’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/arunachaleswarar-temple-elephant-in-tiruvannamalai-named-namasivayam",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T12:25:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/arunachaleswarar-temple-elephant-in-tiruvannamalai-named-namasivayam/article71599514.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 24, the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai received an elephant from Assam, who was initially named 'Hiralal'. Temple officials later renamed the majestic creature 'Namasivayam' during an inspection by two key ministers.\n\nAadhav Arjuna, the Minister for Public Works and Sports Development, and Ramesh, the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), visited the small arena where the elephant resided at the temple. Collector Vandhana Garg and S. Bharanidharan, Joint Commissioner (JC), HR&CE (Tiruvannamalai) were also present during this naming ceremony.\n\nUpon arrival, the elephant was called 'Hiralal' by HR&CE officials. However, after the name change, devotees were granted permission to view the elephant within the temple premises. Safety measures were implemented around the resting area to ensure the well-being of temple visitors.\n\nThe temple had acquired the deceased female elephant, Rukumani, from Mudumalai Reserve Forest in 1995 when she was a seven-year-old. She remained at the temple until her passing in 2018, spending a total of 27 years in Tiruvannamalai.",
  "summary": "Ministers named the elephant in the presence of Collector Vandhana Garg and S. Bharanidharan, Joint Commissioner (JC), HR&CE (Tiruvannamalai)",
  "key_points": [
    "Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai received an elephant from Assam.",
    "Elephant was initially named Hiralal, then renamed Namasivayam.",
    "Ministry officials named the elephant during a naming ceremony."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}