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A temple which binds Hindus and Muslims

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Press Trust of India Rampur (UP)
A village around 70 km from here has set an example of communal harmony with Hindus and Muslims participating in feasts and rituals together at a Shiva temple, land for which was donated by a Muslim nawab in the eighteenth century.

Bhamrawa village has a population of nearly 3,000, of which more than 75 per cent are Muslims. The temple was built in 1788 on the land donated by Nawab Hamid Ali Khan, according to documents available at the centuries-old Rampur Raza Library. The two communities have been living in perfect sync in the area.

Speaking to PTI about the prevailing peace in the village amidst reported communal tensions in various parts of the country, Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada said, Bhamrawa is one of the very few examples of communal harmony in the state, and probably in the country. It is surprising to see the Shiva temple in the village being guarded by Muslims, who regularly cooperate and participate in religious rituals. It is surprising to see a mosque right opposite of the temple."
 

Asked about the use of loudspeakers in the village, Mohsin Mian, a villager, said loudspeakers at the mosque go silent during religious ceremonies in the temple, vice versa.

Mohd Aslam, the husband of the village pradhan, said the Muslim community members of the village take it upon themselves to provide security to the temple even when communal disturbances take place in Rampur or in any other parts of the country.

"We cooperate and participate in Bhadaras (community feasts) when lakhs of devotees come here to perform puja throughout the year," Aslam said.

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First Published: Feb 16 2018 | 10:35 PM IST

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