Ayodhya: As Ayodhya reels under scorching heat, a sharp decline has been registered in the number of devotees visiting the Ram temple in Ayodhya.To provide relief to devotees, temple authorities have made special arrangements.The maximum day temperature, according to IMD data, was recorded at 42 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The mercury is expected to remain above the 40-degree mark during the day over the next 72 hours.Member of Ram Temple Trust, Anil Mishra, said air-cooled waiting halls with capacity of around 3,000 people have been arranged for the convenience of devotees.“The Ayodhya Municipal Corporation is using fogging machines to spray water mist along the Ram Path and surrounding areas to keep the area cool,” said Ayodhya mayor Girish Pati Tripathi.Municipal corporation officials claimed that due to the extreme heat, footfall in Ayodhya has gone down by around 60%.“Normally, around one lakh people visit Ayodhya daily. However, the number has gone down to around 40,000,” a senior official at the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation said.In view of the heat, the temple administration has also changed the ‘bhog’ (offerings) for the deity.“We have included cooling, hydrating, and refreshing items to protect the deity from intense heat. Key items include refreshing beverages like ‘lassi’ and fruit juices, especially mango juice. A special mixture of honey, curd, ghee, and water is being offered in a golden bowl,” Anil Mishra said.Other summer rituals include a bath for the deity with cold water. “The idol is being dressed in light, soft cotton or light silk clothing. Special efforts are being made to keep the ‘garbh grih’ (sanctum sanctorum) cool,” Mishra said.
