Malik Asgar Hashmi/ New Delhi

At a time when headlines are often dominated by noise, division and distrust, a quiet moment from a temple in southern India has spoken more powerfully than any slogan. A simple image from Kerala has touched hearts across the country, reminding people that compassion still lives in everyday acts.

This is not a story of speeches or sermons, but of a moment, one that has won over more than a lakh hearts on social media. It unfolded at the Puthukavu Devi Temple in Thrissur, where faith and humanity came together under the shadow of an elephant. Many are now calling it “the real Kerala story.”

Kerala’s festivals are known for their grandeur, rhythm and majestic elephants. The atmosphere at Puthukavu Devi Temple was festive, with the beat of drums and the traditional display of elephants. As evening fell, however, it was time for a Muslim mahout, Pappan Sainudeen, to fulfil his religious duty. Observing a fast during the holy month of Ramadan, Sainudeen was on duty and could not leave the temple premises. So he sat down quietly near the feet of his elephant to break his fast.

Muslim mahout, Pappan Sainudeen

Sainudeen may have expected to open his roza unobtrusively in a corner. But when members of the temple committee noticed him, the moment took a different turn. The temple authorities not only permitted him to break his fast there but also stepped forward to arrange food and fruits for him. Amid the festive bustle of a Hindu temple, a Muslim mahout broke his fast with food provided by the temple itself. It was no small gesture; it was a glimpse of the India many still hold close to their hearts.

A video of the moment, shared by the Instagram handle Give India, spread rapidly online, crossing over one lakh likes within a day. The respected Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi also carried the story prominently. The video caption summed it up simply: “In a world that often focuses on what divides us, this moment reminds us of what still holds us together.”

As the video went viral, social media was flooded with messages of warmth and admiration. A user named Manzar wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “When a roza is opened in the shadow of a temple, the country witnesses the true meaning of unity. This was not just an iftar, it was humanity at its most beautiful.”

Many viewers chose not to see the moment through a political lens, but through the lens of humanity. “For us, this is not about a Muslim man; this is about a Malayali,” wrote one user, Anil Kumar. Another deeply moving comment read, “The temple committee arranged food for a Muslim mahout. Some may find this surprising, but for us, it isn’t. We grew up in an environment where the call to prayer is heard while temple lamps are being lit. This is the real Kerala story.”

Several commenters described the video as a response to narratives and films that portray Kerala in a negative light. Users repeatedly referred to the moment as “The Real Kerala Story.” One wrote, “Kerala has shown what humanity truly means,” while another called it proof of being God’s Own Country.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Give (@give_india)

Notably, appreciation came from far beyond Kerala. Public figures such as Neha Saxena and Sobha Vishwanath also shared their joy at the sight. Many pointed out that what made the moment special was its complete absence of show or publicity. The temple committee’s act was not for cameras; it was simply who they are.

In a country where religion often takes centre stage in public debate, the image from Puthukavu Devi Temple points towards a deeper truth: ordinary people on the ground continue to respect one another’s faith. For Mahout Pappan Sainudeen, it may have been just another day of duty. But a single compassionate step by the temple committee has given hope to millions.

By the time this report was written, the video had garnered close to 1.75 lakh likes, with thousands sharing their thoughts. Some called it the essence of South Indian culture; others saw it as hope for a changing India. The truth perhaps lies in this simple idea: when a temple priest and a worshipper from a mosque stand in mutual respect, the dignity of the tricolour is upheld.

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The video serves as a mirror to those who seek to widen divides between faiths. A temple in Thrissur has shown that while ways of worship may differ, the language of humanity is one. Sainudeen’s roza and the temple’s food—this meeting point is the true beauty of India. Jai Hind.