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Believers are flocking to a Leicestershire temple to pray twice a day to a vegetable that looks like a Hindu god.

The divine aubergine was discovered among a box from a wholesalers and has been worshipped by more than 80 people so far.

The holy eggplant has been declared a religious sanctity by followers who have set up a makeshift temple in the restaurant where it was found.

Praful Visram, owner of 4 Seasons Catering, in Northfields, Leicestershire, claims that the Hindu gods have blessed him and his family with the gift - and he is honouring their wishes by putting it on display.

The 61-year-old said: "One of my staff found the aubergine in a box of 20 or so we got from our wholesalers in Leicester.

"He thought it looked a bit odd, then my wife, Rekha, saw it and recognised the similarity with Ganpati Bappa - Lord Ganesh.

"We immediately placed it with reverence in the temple at work. It is a blessing for us to have this."

(Image: CAters)

Praful added that members of his family and staff had been praying to the vegetable likeness of the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune twice a day.

He said that the word has spread and other people are turning up at his workplace to pray in the temple and to see the aubergine.

"There have been 80 people who have come to pray at the temple and to see the aubergine. It is spreading good feeling throughout the community," he said.

Hina Chodai, who runs a neighbouring company called Khushi Food, said the resemblance to Lord Ganesh was remarkable.

"As soon as I heard about the aubergine I had to see it for myself," said Hina.

"It is indeed a blessing for all of us. I am hoping it will bring prosperity to all who pray there.

"I have prayed there a few times and all of my family have come along to pray, too."

(Image: Caters)

And a restaurant worker called Bacash has claimed that the eggplant icon has helped spread a sense of wellbeing.

The 44-year-old said: "It is very unusual indeed. There is no doubt that it looks like the God.

"I pray in the temple at work every day and it gives me a good feeling."

However, Praful has admitted that the vegetable is deteriorating - and will be given a traditional Hindu funeral once it has become too decomposed to display.

"That is the way things like this should be treated," he said.

"It has been a blessing for us and I hope will bring us luck and prosperity.

"This has been sent to us and we shall treat this with the respect it deserves."