Priests Put Face Masks On Idols Amid Coronavirus Scare

Priests at an Indian temple have been giving facemasks to the statues of deities in a move that looks as if it has been set up to stop the Gods from catching the disease.

At the same time the priests at the temple in Varanasi, a city on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, India, have asked visitors not to touch the holy figures.

But the holy men running the temple said the move was not really to protect the gods, but more to make people aware that they needed to take action to protect themselves from the virus.

Newsflash

Temple priest Krishna Anand Pandey said: “Coronavirus has spread across the country. We have put a mask on Lord Vishwanath to raise awareness about coronavirus. Just like we put clothes on the idols when it is cold and put ACs or fans when it’s hot, we have put masks on the deities.”

The priest also urged people “to not touch the idols to prevent the spread of coronavirus”.

He added: “We are urging the people to not touch the idols to prevent the spread of the virus. If people touch the idol, the virus will spread and more people will get infected.”

Newsflash

The priests and worshippers of also all be wearing facemasks since the virus appeared in the country.

The temple is one of the most famous in Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

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