Gods chill out the heat wave

Mere mortals may be sweating it out in the heat wave, for the gods and goddesses things are cool around here. With air-conditioners to keep room temperatures within comfortable limits and sandalwood paste offerings by deities sooth them from within.

Mere mortals may be sweating it out in the heat wave, for the gods and goddesses things are cool around here. With air-conditioners to keep room temperatures within comfortable limits and sandalwood paste offerings by deities sooth them from within.

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Newer, swankier temples have installed air conditioners and keep them running 24X7. Like the newly built Tridev Temple in the town. It has only 22 air-conditioners all across its different rooms.

Three ACs work round the clock to serve Lord Salsar Hanuman Bhagwan, Dadi Rani Sati Devi and Khatu Shyamji Maharaj. The idols of the three deities are also given sandalwood paste applications for good measure.

Load shedding and prolonged power cuts, a routine affairs all across Uttar Pradesh do not affect the almighty.

"We have our own power source and generators are switched on the moment electricity fails," said Gopi Krishna, a priest,

At the Sri Sanatan Gaudiya Mutt nearby, there is no shortage of power to keep the presiding deity in cooler climes.

"We believe god resides in the temple and feels the heat or cold just as we do," Maharaj explains.

"In winter, we wrap Thakurji in blankets and sweaters," he adds.

Even the older temples are striving to provide a comfortable residence to the assortment of gods.

The world-famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Annapurna Temple and the Sankatha Temple at Scindia Ghat have gone in for air-conditioners. On way is a special fountain that sprays cold water on jyotirlinga at the Kashi Vishawanth Temple. It would be operational by next week.

The priests believe the if the gods were comfortable only then the devotees would also be with their blessings.