Sheikh Makbul Islam, a Muslim scholar, had never imagined that he would be conferred an award by revered seer, Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati of the Govardhan monastery, one of the most sacred monastries of Hindu.
Islam had conducted a research on the Jagannath temple and its deity, Lord Jagannath at Puri, Odisha.
He earned a DLitt from Utkal University of the state for his work.
The professor, who is the Dean of Kalyani University in eastern West Bengal state, received the Nabakalebar award, the highest honor bestowed to any individual by the monastery.
The award was conferred by Shree Jagannath Research Institute at a function hosted in Bhubaneswar city on Saturday, July 11.
Islam said that he had published numerous works on lord Jagannath, and the culture and traditions associated with the deity.
"I have done research on Lord Jagannath. I have presented two major research projects of UGC and written major books on Lord Jagannath. That is why they have chosen me for this award," said Islam on Sunday, July 12.
Islam has worked for 22 years on the propagation of the Jagannath culture beyond Puri, especially in West Bengal, northeastern Indian states and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal.
Revered seer of Puri, Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati, presented him the award. Islam added it was the biggest honour of his life.
"This is a very fulfilling moment of my life. Nothing like this has happened in my life and I do not think anything of this sort would ever happen again. This is a very valuable occasion in my life," said Islam.
The previous recipient of this award was the famous German historian and Indologist, Hermann Kulke.
