Mau

A centuries-old Bharat Milap tradition, in which the chariot of Lord Ram symbolically touches the gate of a mosque, was observed peacefully in Uttar Pradesh's Mau on Thursday, officials said.

District Magistrate Anand Vardhan said the event, which commemorates the reunion of Lord Ram with his brother Bharat, was was held in the early hours of the day at the historic Shahi Katra ground.

The prescribed security force and magistrates were deployed for the event, Vardhan said, adding that the administration had also held discussions with the organisers to ensure its smooth conduct.

The annual festival, which draws devotees from Mau and neighbouring districts, is known for its distinctive tradition of being held at the Shahi Masjid ground, reflecting the town's shared cultural heritage.

According to local accounts, the tradition dates back to the Mughal era and is believed to be more than four centuries old. One of its most distinctive rituals involves the chariot carrying Lord Ram symbolically touching the mosque's main entrance.

The festival, however, remains sensitive from a security perspective following the communal violence that erupted in Mau in 2005 after a dispute linked to the Bharat Milap celebrations. The violence continued for nearly a month.

READ MORE:Mustakim Nadaf spends 50% of his business profits on charity

Since then, the administration has maintained heightened security arrangements during the annual event to prevent any untoward incident.