Brooms have quietly nudged away milk and marigold, the traditional offerings made to Hindu deities in a temple here.
Traditionally used to clean dust and dirt from Indian homes, brooms, devotees believe, will swipe away their sins.
The ancient Bholenath temple on the outskirts of Moradabad town is one of the most revered temples of Lord Shiva. Over centuries, the tradition of offering brooms has replaced the more traditional offerings of marigold blooms and milk.
"This is a very revered temple and people come here from far and near. Whatever wishes you have are fulfilled here by the Lord," said Rajeshwari Sharma, a devotee.
Devotees believe offering fresh brooms will also brush away their sins.
"This is a very old temple. People offer brooms here thinking that their wishes will be fulfilled," said Amit, another devotee.
While flowers, milk, clarified butter, oil, incense sticks and camphor form traditional offerings in Indian temples, for bizarre reasons, very unconventional offerings, like liquor, clocks, earthen pots, are in vogue in some temples across the country.