Ramanathapuram, Dec 09: After a gap of over five decades, the beating of the two giant drums at the historic Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram near here could be heard again, thanks to the initiatives taken by the temple officials. The over 350-year-old drums which were used to announce the daily arrival of Ganga water brought by pilgrims between 4 am to 4.30 am and 3 pm to 3.30 pm every day, were lying idle in a badly dilapidated condition for the last five decades at a corner of the temple.

The particular community which used to beat these drums known as "nagaras", abandoned the practice long time ago.

The temple authorities got these unique ancient leather drums repaired recently and the beating of the drums resumed from yesterday, reviving a long-forgotten temple tradition. Bureau Report