It is the second Sunday of a special three-week puja, Mudupu, where villagers gather in Satyamma temple to perform the rituals. Panchamrit Abhishekam, an offering poured onto the idol, is practiced with love and devotion. The prayer is “to save our village that Coronavirus may not enter, and to protect all children and adults from disease”. People are giving their prayers one at a time.

For the previous 15 years, this temple had been neglected. In the first year of Amrita SeRVe working in Gudipadi Cheruvu, the temple renovation was done along with other urgent activities.

In 2016, Amma sent senior disciples to conduct pujas and teach mantras and yoga to strengthen the traditional culture by reviving the temple worship. Since then, people started visiting the temple. Village coordinator Mallikarjun started regular bhajan sessions. “Devotion has increased in the village. Even people from adjacent villages are coming to join,” he says.