Along the Potti Sreeramulu Road in Mandapeta in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district, past the shops selling flowers and fruits, and eateries on wheels, past the shops selling jewellery, stands a huge statue of Hanuman. In his light orange-and-brown tinted stature—legs like tree trunks and arms like logs—he raises his right hand in benediction. A woman dusts the feet; a man prays. The Agasthyeshwara Janardhana Swami temple is just next door. A priest has just finished the puja.