Not just humans, even Gods wear anti-pollution masks in Varanasi temple

The air quality in India is degrading day by day. While one side, Delhi has turned into a gas chamber, cities like Varanasi or Kanpur are not behind. The PM level of Varanasi rose to 2.5 post-Diwali celebrations and quality of air dipped hazardously.  

Photos from a temple in Varanasi are going viral and the reason will put you in thinking spot. The photos show deities in temple adorning masks. The images are from the Shiv-Parvati temple in the Sigra area of Varanasi and show idols faces covered with white masks. The masks were put on idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Goddess Kali, and Sai Baba.

As the level of pollutants increased in the air post-Diwali, the priest decided to mask the idols to raise awareness. 

पर्यावरण की भयावह स्थिति को देखते हुए वाराणसी के सिगरा स्थित मंदिर में पुजारी हरीश मिश्रा और भक्तों ने बाबा भोलेनाथ समेत देवी दुर्गा और काली माता समेत साईं बाबा का पूजन कर मास्क पहनाया..#Varanasi #Pollution #VJpriyaJ pic.twitter.com/VyFOFdIhu5

— Priya Jain | پریا جان | પ્રિયા જૈન (@VJpriyaJ) November 5, 2019

As reported to The Indian Express by local media outlets, the priest said, "If the idols of the gods can be adorned with blankets during winter then it’s only normal to protect them from the rising air pollution by using masks".

As per the priest, people visiting temples have started wearing masks after seeing the idols. 

Meanwhile, in Delhi, the pollution levels recorded on Wednesday witnessed some improvement compared to Tuesday but still remain in the 'very poor' category. At around 5:30 am on Wednesday, Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 356

On Monday, the odd-even scheme commenced in Delhi in a bid to provide some relief from the pollution which has turned Delhi into a gas chamber. One of the main causes of such a sudden steep in Delhi's air pollution is stubble burning in nearby states.