Coronavirus update: Priests in Varanasi cover idols with mask, ask devotees to avoid touching gods

While people in India have awakened to the gravity of Coronavirus infection and have been taking precautionary measures to avoid it, even the deities have joined the ranks of humans to prevent catching the infection.
According to the reports, priests at a temple in Varanasi have put face masks on the idols of deities, while also making an appeal to the devotees to avoid touching the idols for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
The said mask has been put on a shivalinga at the Prahladeshwar Temple in Varanasi to spread knowledge about COVID-19 infection among the locals. The logic behind making the deity wear a mask to safeguard it just the way it is covered in woollens during winter and is provided with air-conditioning in summers.

Likewise, the authorities of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir in Varanasi believe that when people touch the idol, it is likely that the virus may spread and infect others as well. Hence, devotees are being prohibited from touching the ancient shivalinga at the temple. Everyone at the shrine has been wearing masks while offering prayers at the temple.

Meanwhile, temple officials at Sabrimala in Kerala have requested devotees to avoid visiting the shrine due to COVID-19 scare. On the other hand, the temple authorities of Tirupati Tirumala shrine have banned entry of foreign tourists and NRIs in the temple premises as a safety measure.