By TNN | Updated: Apr 27, 2017, 10.40 AM IST
ALWAR:
If you hadn't heard of Alwar, the historically significant Rajasthan district,
before the recent lynching of dairy farmer Pehlu Khan, it probably evokes a
picture of communal frenzy in your mind.
But people familiar with the place will tell you
that is not the story of Alwar -that you should rather visit a popular shrine
atop the Moti Doongri hill to better understand its fabric.
The
shrine stands tall as an epitome of communal harmony , boast as it does of
hosting devotees of two faiths in one compound as they practise their individual
forms of worship.
The integrated shrine of Sayyed Darbar and
Sankat Mochan Vir Hanuman Mandir is a unique example of the centuries-old
peaceful coexistence of Hinduism and Islam, with not even a wall separating the
two structures.
And on
Thursdays, the microphone and loudspeaker as well as the dholak and harmonium
used for the bhajan is handed over for qawal lis praising Allah. The compound
has flags in saffron and green furling together, with a 30-metre Tricolour
installed in front of the hill on which it stands.
Devotees say that the scent of camphor and wicks
soaked in ghee from the maha aarti combine with that of the `roshni-ki-rasm',
burning of loban at the dargah, to create a fragrance without parallel.
The
entry to the compound is primarily from the temple's gate. Here, devotees pray
with folded hands and offer their forehead for tika. As they proceed towards
the dargah, they cover their heads and bend to kiss the grave. Offerings at
both places come from a common thali. Mahant Nawal Baba, 51, the chief
caretaker of both the places, has serious objections to those who express
surprise at the peaceful coexistence. “Both the places show the same path and
are equally revered. What's the problem?“ ..
Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/58392618.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
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