Watch the viral video: Devotees drink ‘AC water’ mistaking it for ‘charanamrit’ in temple; Doctor warns of health hazards

A video of devotees at the Banke Bihari temple drinking water dripping from air conditioners, mistakenly believing it to be ‘charanamrit’ or blessed holy water, has gone viral. In a video posted on X, people are seen using paper cups to catch water flowing from the stone statue. This has raised concerns among medical professionals, who warn against the practice.

It is unclear where the video was filmed, but the narrator warns people not to drink the water. He says, “The priest told me that this is not caranamrit; It’s actually air conditioner wastewater. You may get sick or infected if you drink this water,” he tells the devotees.

In response to the video, Dr. Cyriac Abby Phillips, known on social media as the “Liver Doctor,” strongly advised people not to drink water dripping from air conditioners. He stressed that this water contains high levels of harmful bacteria.

“Refrigeration and air conditioning systems are breeding grounds for many types of infections, including fungal infections, some of which are truly nasty. Exposure to condensation from an air conditioner can lead to a terrible disease known as Legionnaires’ disease, which is spread by a type of bacteria called Legionella,” the doctor said. Phillips wrote on X.

Dr. Phillips explained that people can become infected by inhaling droplets of contaminated water or breathing small amounts of contaminated water into their lungs. He warned that Legionella infections can range from a mild illness known as Pontiac fever to severe cases that can be life-threatening and lead to pneumonia. He also mentioned that those infected may face serious complications, including brain problems, as well as serious nerve and muscle problems.