Indian village prays to 'goddess corona' to rid them of the virus

A devotee cheers while standing near an idol of 'Corona Mata' (Mother Corona), amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at a temple in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India June 11, 2021, in this still image taken from video. ANI/REUTERS TV/VIA REUTERS

LUCKNOW, India (Reuters) - Indian villagers have erected a shrine to "goddess corona" and are offering her prayers in the hope that divine intervention can banish the deadly virus.

Devotees in Shuklapur village, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, have been offering prayers, holy water, and flowers at the bright yellow shrine where they have placed their idol of "Corona Mata", since they erected it this week.