Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrating unity beyond religious boundaries Hindus and Muslims unite for Ganesh Chaturthi: Mosques host idols, interfaith friends celebrate together
18, Sep 2024 | CJP Team
In a remarkable display of unity, Muslims joined Hindus for Ganpati Visarjan in Gujarat’s Vyara City, defying communal boundaries. Donning the tricolour attire, they immersed Ganesh idols together, chanting ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’. This heartfelt gesture underscored India’s harmony and brotherhood. Similar celebrations unfolded in Rajkot, Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka, showcasing interfaith unity and shared cultural values, inspiring a united harmonious India.
Gujrat
Muslims joins Ganpati Visarjan Yatra in Tapi
In a heart-warming display of unity, Muslims joined Hindus for Ganpati Visarjan celebration in Gujrat’s Vyara City in Tapi district. Defying communal boundaries, people from both communities wore the tricolour attire, symbolizing India’s harmony. Together, they immersed Ganesh idols, exchanged greetings while chanting ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’. This poignant gesture underscored the spirit of brotherhood and religious harmony.
Tapi, Gujarat: People from the Muslim community joined in the Ganpati Visarjan celebrations in Vyara city. People from both community wore clothing in the colors of the tricolor to demonstrate unity to showcase the Unity. pic.twitter.com/B24WSe5lLb
— IANS (@ians_india) September 14, 2024
Hindu-Muslims join hands to offer prayers to lord Ganesh in Rajkot
At Trikon Baug Ka Raja, devotees from diverse backgrounds came together to perform aarti to Lord Ganesh, showcasing the city’s timeless spirit of communal harmony. Hindus and Muslims united in prayer, reaffirming Rajkot’s legacy of unity and inclusivity.
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A local Muslim while condemning the stone pelting incident in Surat added that “In India, Rajkot is known for communal unity, if it comes from other cities that stones pelted in the Ganesh Utsav, then stone pelter can’t be a Muslim because the month that is going on, is month of Prophet’s Barvi Sharif and prophet’s birth anniversary is also coming on 16th September then no Muslim can do this work. If any Muslim has done this, then I believe that the devil woke up inside his heart and that devil did this work”
A Hindu woman said that “today we and the Muslim community performed prayers together and we should convey this message of brotherhood to everyone that the Muslim community and the Hindu Community are all equal”
Maharashtra
Mosque in Sangli hosts Ganesh idol for 44 years
In Sangli district’s Gotkhindi village, a mosque has been hosting Lord Ganesh’s idol for 44 years during the annual festival.
As reported by the Deccan Herald, members of the New Ganesh Mandal have celebrated the festival inside the mosque, highlighting the harmonious example between two communities. Ilahi Pathan, president of the mandal said that Hindu and Muslim celebrate the Ganesh festival with great zeal and devotion every year.
Another member of the mandal highlighted those festivals such as Moharram, Diwali, and Eid are also celebrated together in Gothkhindi, located 32 KM away from Sangli city in western Maharashtra.
3 friends mesmerized the beauty of Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi
Mumbai’s Raut Galli neighbourhood in Dahisar, where three friends celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with a unique display of interfaith unity. Three friends – Sohel Malik (Muslim), Oswald Gonsalves (Catholic), and Jignesh Patel (Hindu) – came together to set up a Ganesh idol, breaking cultural and religious barriers. Previously hindered by financial constraints, they collectively decided to host the festival this year, spreading love and harmony.
“I took care of the idol. Mr Patel took care of logistics and vargani (donations). The mandap (pandal) and decoration was all taken care of by Mr Gonsalves,” said Sohel.
Jignesh also added that “People here are together in happiness and sadness. If anything good is happening, you may see a few people showing up, but if something bad happens, everyone will turn up for you,” as reported by NDTV.
Telangana
Hindus-Muslims dance together during Ganpati procession in Hyderabad
In a vibrant display of unity in Hyderabad, Hindus and Muslims danced together during Ganpati processions. This joyful celebration showcased the city’s harmonious spirit, reinforcing the bond between communities and underscoring India’s diversity as its greatest strength.
Karnataka
Muslim youth install Ganesh Idol in Dargah, celebrate with Hindus
In Karnataka, the village of Ugar Budrak in Kagwad taluk of Chikkodi, Belagavi celebrating the Ganesh Chaturthi as a festival of Hindu-Muslim unity. For the past six years, Hindu and Muslim youth have come together to install a Ganesh idol at the Myausbani Dargah in the village.
For six consecutive years, the Ganpati festival has become a symbol of communal harmony in Ugar Budruk, where Muslims and Hindus unite to celebrate the iconic event. Muslim youth actively participate in every aspect, from funding to idol immersion. This shared celebration has transformed the village into a beacon of interfaith unity, transcending religious differences.
A local villager explained, “In our town, we don’t just celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi as a Hindu festival. Muslims here see it as their own as well. Likewise, we Hindus celebrate Muslim festivals like Urus and Eid Milad with equal enthusiasm. There’s a sense of unity here that binds us all.”
A Muslim resident echoed this sentiment, saying, “We all celebrate each other’s festivals like brothers and sisters. Whether it’s Ganesh Chaturthi or Eid, it’s about coming together as one community.”
Friendship has no religion, harmony matters
In Karnataka’s Yadgiri district in a heart-warming demonstration of religious harmony during the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Hindu-Muslim friends in Hunsagi town in Yadgiri district united to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.
Saddamhusena and Arun Dori, key members of the organizing group, shared that the initiate was driven by a desire to promote communal harmony.
The successful celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi by members of both communities demonstrated the enduring spirit of harmony and shared cultural values in Hunsagi. It stands as a testament to the affirmative impact in interfaith understanding of unity in diversity.
Despite the recent communal violence and stone pelting incident in Surat that highlights the need for peace and unity in our communities. However, amidst this chaos, there are heart-warming stories of Hindus and Muslims coming together to celebrate each other’s festivals, promoting interfaith unity and harmony.
Related:
Everyday Harmony: Members of Ganpati Visarjan procession pay respect to mosque
Karnataka celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with gaiety, Muslims postpone Eid procession in Belagavi
Love & Harmony over Hate: Int’l Day to Counter Hate speech, CJP’s unique efforts
