The blind faith of devotees at a temple in Vrindavan, India, was brought into focus recently following the formation of a queue to drink the water dripping from a sculpture of a deity, which they believed to be holy water which, in fact, was condensation from the AC unit.

Videos which have surfaced online showing several people drinking the dripping liquid from an elephant-shaped statue mounted on the wall have raised discussion on the lines between religion and critical thought by many.

According to reports, despite temple authorities clarifying the confusion of the condensation from the AC, many remained unmoved and steadfast to the belief that the liquid is Charan Amrit (sacred water from the feet of Lord Krishna).

“We respect the faith people have in God, but it’s essential to inform them,” Dinesh Goswami, a temple sevak, said speaking to the media. “The water they believe to be ‘Charan Amrit’ is actually just water from the AC. The real ‘Charan Amrit’ would contain ingredients like Tulsi and rose petals.”

While the ingestion of water from units may seem innocuous, experts cautioned against the practice, noting the presence of bacteria and the risk of infections, among other serious health issues.

The bizarre situation attracted a “mixed bag” of reactions from people following the reports. Some praised the unwavering faith of the devotees, while others criticised their gullibility of mistaking condensation for a divine activity.