Residents of the Pratapgarh region of Uttar Pradesh (UP) have established a temple dedicated to a "new deity" that they've named "Corona Devi (goddess)".
A group of locals contributed money to establish this "place of worship" under a Neem tree with an idol of the "Corona goddess" engraved on a stone slab. The deity can be seen wearing a red "sari" and a green face mask, the Indian media reported on Saturday.
People in the region believe that praying to "Corona Devi" can possibly ward off the looming dangers of the virus and save them.
Videos of devotees performing prayer rituals at this little temple have gone viral on social media. People can be seen offering water and milk to wash the prayer area and extend their wishes for good health.
Similar temples have been established in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore and Karnataka's Madhuvanahalli.