A specially crafted platinum icon has been chosen as a gift to an Indian temple.

The 20g platinum piece depicts the Hindu god, Lord Ganesha.

One of the country's greatest actresses, Manorama, who has appeared in around 1,200 films, came to G R Thangamaligai Jewellery in Chennai to collect the item, which is to be given to the Vadapalani Murugan temple as offering.

The pendant has been intricately crafted and was handed over by the director of the jewellers, G R Radhakrishnan.

The actress then took the platinum piece to the temple and performed a puja - a form of worship performed to form a connection with the temple image.

Manorama said that the choice of metal was no accident, as she wanted to offer something pure and precious to god. "That is why I chose platinum and got this very special piece crafted," she said.

According to Mr Radhakrishnan, the demand for platinum has been growing steadily in his store.

The choice of the precious metal for the gift was a natural progression of this growing popularity.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd