As northern India continues to experience soaring temperatures, temples in Ayodhya have introduced special arrangements to shield deities from the ongoing heatwave.
In keeping with long-held religious beliefs that temple idols are living embodiments of the divine and experience seasonal changes like humans, temple authorities have taken steps to ensure their comfort during the extreme summer conditions.
Many temples have installed air-conditioners, coolers and additional fans inside sanctums to maintain a pleasant atmosphere. Chilled offerings, refreshing beverages, and fragrant flowers are also being used as part of daily rituals to help create a cooler environment for the deities. The measures reflect the deep devotion of worshippers, who view caring for the idols as an important aspect of religious practice. The cooling arrangements have also benefited devotees visiting the temples, offering some respite from the scorching temperatures. Despite the intense heat, large numbers of pilgrims continue to visit Ayodhya's temples every day to offer prayers and seek blessings.