Fazal Pathan

Freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak started the public Ganeshotsav festival to unite society. Even today, the festival exemplifies religious harmony and goodwill, as many instances of communities celebrating the festicval together, breaking religious barriers, are seen across Maharashtra.

However, nothing prepares you to know that a Ganesha idol is installed right inside a mosque as part of the cultural unity of the people.

Be it Muharram, Eid, or Ganeshotsav, the Sangli district of Maharashtra always showcases examples of Hindu-Muslim unity. Across Maharashtra, Hindu and Muslim brethren come together to celebrate festivals with great enthusiasm, and we see many traditions related to this throughout the state. The village of Gotkhindi has one such unique tradition, which can be called a remarkable example of Hindu-Muslim harmony.

Gotkhindi, a village in the Walwa administrative block of the Sangli district, has been preserving a legacy of religious harmony for many years. The village is renowned throughout Maharashtra for a Ganeshotsav celebration that truly reflects Hindu-Muslim unity.

In many places in Maharashtra, Ganesha idols are installed in the premises of Dargahs and Mosques, where they are duly worshipped during Ganeshotsav. The tradition in Gotkhindi is somewhat similar. For more than four decades, the Ganesha idol here has been installed right at the entrance of the local mosque. The history of this tradition is also fascinating.

Ganeshotsva at Walwa village during the COVID-19 pendamic

Providing details about it, Rahul Kokate, the secretary of the New Ganesh Mandal (the local organizing committee), says, "43 years ago, the New Ganesh Mandal had installed the Ganpati idol as usual in Jhunjhar Chowk of Gotkhindi village. However, there was a torrential downpour that year, and water started leaking onto the idol. At that time, the elder members from the mosque located right behind the pandal asked us to bring the Ganesha idol inside the mosque to keep it safe."

He says, "Thanks to this decision by our Muslim brothers, the idol was protected from the rain. The following year, a village meeting was held. It was decided then that in the coming years, the Ganesha idol would be installed on the mosque premises. Both communities happily approved this decision. Earlier, the idol used to be placed on the outer side of the mosque. Now, it is installed right at the entrance."

Four decades ago, the Muslim community of Gotkhindi extended a hand of help and cooperation to the Hindus of the village. By allowing the Ganesha idol to be consecrated on the mosque premises during Ganeshotsav, they presented a unique example of Hindu-Muslim unity and religious harmony. The entire Muslim community of the village is always ready to provide all possible help for this Ganeshotsav. During the festival, Muslim volunteers are always ready to serve. Often, it is the Muslim members who distribute the prasad (blessed food offering) after the aarti (ritual of worship with lamps) is concluded.

In 2009, major riots broke out in Miraj, a city in the same Sangli district, during the Ganeshotsav period. At that time, great tension had been created between the two communities. However, in Gotkhindi village, located just a few kilometers away, everything was peaceful. Even during the period of riots, the Hindu-Muslim unity and religious harmony here remained intact.

In the last few years, there have been two or three instances where Bakri Eid and Anant Chaturdashi fell on the same day. Bakri Eid is one of the main festivals for Muslims, while Anant Chaturdashi is one of the most important Hindu festivals, marking the final day of Ganesha immersion. In this situation, the Muslim community did not celebrate Baki Eid on that day. The Muslim brethren celebrated the festival by performing the qurbani (ritual sacrifice) only after Anant Chaturdashi was over.

Secretary Rahul Kokate says, "In 1986 and again in 2018-19, the festivals of Muharram and Ganeshotsav coincided. On these occasions as well, the Hindu and Muslim communities came together to install the Muharram Panjas (sacred standards) and the Ganesha idol at the very same place."

Ganeshotsav is one of the major festivals in Maharashtra. Taking this opportunity, public committees organize various cultural activities and competitions for ten days. The youth from both Hindu and Muslim communities of the New Ganesh Mandal come together in large numbers to carry out educational and awareness programs. During this time, they work shoulder-to-shoulder to execute the various events of Ganeshotsav with great enthusiasm.

The Muslim community of Gotkhindi always participates enthusiastically in the festivals of their Hindu brothers. The Muslim members of the village say, "Whatever the festival, all the committee members visit each other's homes as if by right. When it comes to festivals, the thought that 'we are Hindu' or 'we are Muslim' doesn't even enter our minds. We all come together and celebrate various festivals with the feeling that we are all one."

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This tradition of religious harmony, nurtured by the Hindus and Muslims of Gotkhindi for four decades, is an ideal not just for Maharashtra but for the entire country.