Madhya Pradesh is baking under a brutal heatwave, with Ujjain’s thermometer crossing 41°C and other areas touching 43°C. At the iconic Sandeepani Ashram, priests have invoked an age-old custom to modify Lord Krishna’s daily worship, treating his child-like form with summer-specific tenderness.
This ‘seasonal puja’ approach, as described by head priest Kirti Rupam Vyas, mirrors parental care for kids in extreme weather. Frequent dips in cool water, strategic fan placements, and a cooling earthen pitcher now define the sanctum’s atmosphere.
Bhogs, or sacred meals, emphasize hydration and lightness: think fresh fruits, chaas, dahi, mishti doi, and creamy shrikhand over richer fare. The deity’s wardrobe? Breezy cotton outfits designed for ventilation, ditching heavy embellishments.
Vyas stresses this is no modern tweak—it’s woven into the fabric of devotion here, prioritizing the Lord’s well-being year-round. While the heat forces residents indoors, the ashram buzzes with pilgrims, captivated by this adaptive piety.
The story underscores Ujjain’s deep-rooted traditions, where faith evolves with the seasons, providing solace and inspiration amid climate challenges. As temperatures linger high, these rituals remind us of spirituality’s resilient, nurturing side.
