Thiruvananthapuram, India - 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson was paid a unique tribute at a temple here when a group of fans flew in from US to conduct special rituals and prayers for the pop icon in the Hindu tradition.
Three Jackson fans performed a series of rituals for the peace of the pop icon's departed soul at the Navamukunda Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu at Thirunavaya.
The trio, George Luis Evans, Kyle Webster and Anne Mary Mulloy produced certificates from the Arya Samajam as proof of their conversion to Hinduism, since many of the Hindu temples here do not allow people from other faiths to enter their premises.
Hundreds of Hindus visit the temple everyday to perform the last rituals for their departed kin, on the steps of the shrine on the banks of river Bharathapuzha.
George Evans, who adopted the name Ganesh is the disciple of a Hindu sanyasin settled in the US, from whom he came to know about the ritual, the temple manager Haridas said.
Besides 'Bali Tarpanam', a ritual performed for the peace of departed souls amid chanting of Vedic mantras, 'Thila Homam', a special pooja, was also performed in the name of the pop icon.