Hindu priests at an Indian temple are saying daily prayers to twocoronavirus goddesses in an effort to tame the pandemic as the countrybattles a new infection surge.

Two “Corona Devi” idols have been set up in the southern city ofCoimbatore, badly hit in an outbreak that has killed 100,000 peoplenationwide in the past four weeks.

The Kamatchipuri Adhinam temple is closed to worshippers because of thecity’s high infection rates but priestslink are paying tribute in front of thegoddesses, one made of sandalwood and the other from stone.

They leave food and other offerings, chant prayers urging an end to thepandemic and bathe the idols in turmeric water and milk.

“We have had similar temples for smallpox, chickenpox and plague in thepast,” said temple manager Anandbharathi K.

“We are worshipping the virus in the form of a Goddess and praying to herevery day to reduce the impacts of this disease,” he added.

While case numbers are easing in much of Indialink, the country of 1.3 billion people hasbeen shocked by the severity of the latest wave of the pandemic, whichoverwhelmed hospitals and led to critical shortages of oxygen andmedicines.

“Even doctors are unable to deal with the enormity of the situation. So, weturn to faith and God as a last resort,” Anandbharathi said.

The priests link plan to continue theirprayers to the “Corona Devi” idols for another seven weeks.