A monkey was witnessed offering prayers during a religious festival organised at a village in Orissa, the festival organisers said Sunday.
The ape appeared at Kharida village in the coastal district of Balasore Saturday when the villagers were celebrating the Ashtami festival the day before the Indian festival of Ram Navami marking the birth of Lord Ram.
The animal inched towards the 'puja mandap' and sat in front of the deity after offering flowers. It also took 'prasad' (food offering) from the devotees, Village Puja Committee secretary Gauranga Panigrahi told IANS.
The monkey then ran away.
"We were thinking of discontinuing with festival celebrations from next year though this is a festival we have been observing since 1994," he said.
The monkey's visit is reportedly being interpreted as a divine sign against the decision.
"We have now decided to continue with the festival," Panigrahi added.