Varanasi: As the city wilts under blistering heat, a delicate fountain now crowns the Shivling at Kashi Vishwanath temple, showering it with a ceaseless stream of cool water till Shrawan Purnima.With temperatures hovering around 44 degrees Celsius, the temple trust and administration have also put in place extensive heat-relief measures for devotees. German hangars fitted with mist fans have been installed, while jute mats line the shrine campus, offering respite to pilgrims braving the intense summer heat.As per tradition, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust ensured the installation of ‘Kunwara’ (shower) above the idol of Lord Vishwanath on Akshaya Tritiya, said temple CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra.After a special ‘Abhishek’ with fruit juices during the ‘Madhyanh Bhog Aarti’ on Akshaya Tritiya, temple staff distributed cool beverages made from bel, lemon, and curd to devotees at Kashi Vishwanath Dham.Senior priest Shrkanth Mishra said, “When poison was churned out during Samudramanthan (churning of the ocean), Lord Shiv consumed it to save the world. It is believed that Lord Shiv held the poison in his throat, due to which he was named as the Neelkanth. It made his body intensely hot. To neutralise the effect of poison and provide coolness, this tradition is followed annually until Shrawan Purnima (Rakshabandhan).”Even during all aartis — Mangala Aarti, Bhog Aarti, Saptarishi Aarti and Shringar Aarti — the deity is offered water through additional pawar (fountain stream), he added.Well before the commencement of the traditional ritual, the temple administration had begun putting summer preparedness measures in place, anticipating rising temperature that has crossed the 44°C mark.Elaborating on the arrangements, the CEO said, “To provide adequate shade for devotees entering the dham, German hangars and canopies have been installed to shield them from the heat. These areas are equipped with mist fans, and commercial coolers have also been set up at multiple points. In addition to ensuring access to chilled RO drinking water across the campus, volunteers are stationed at temporary counters to supply water to devotees waiting in queues.”With granite flooring heating up under intense sunlight, jute mats have been laid out to protect devotees’ feet. The administration has also stocked ORS, glucose, and jaggery, while first-aid services are being provided through an Arogya Kendra.
