Kolkata:
Durga Puja in Kolkata is about hopping from one pandal to another, gazing at themes, decor and idols. But, in a narrow lane at Khidderpore, a tiny pandal is upholding perhaps the true spirit of all festivals.
The purohit there is assisted by a Muslim youth who knows all the mantras to worship the goddess with. Sheikh Jehangir, 32, is doing double duty these days. Part of his day is spent worshipping Goddess Durga, the rest, preparing for Wednesday's Muharram. His forefathers did it, he says, with forefathers of a Hindu friend and that flag must fly.
"We couldn't shut down the Puja, could we?" he asks. "Ma and Allah, they are all the same. Once a year, we get to see her. You don't get Mother all the time. When you have an opportunity, why waste it?"
His Hindu friend, Bikash Roy, says, "There are more Muslims than Hindus here but we all celebrate each other's festivals. Durga Puja, Bakr Eid, I even do Roza."
Mr Jehangir, a peon in a private firm in Howrah, and Mr Roy, who owns a shop, are residents of Munshigunj and members of the Five Star Club which hosts this unique Durga Puja.
In the narrow lane just off Khidderpore Bridge, "tazias" pass by the pandal all the time as youngsters rehearse for Muharram. Inside, 50-year-old local resident Kanaklata Das offers flowers to the goddess and, asked about the presence of Muslims, says, "I like it. Muslims are humans, we are also humans. We worship together. I feel at peace and happy."
Between playing the "dhak" with friends Bikash, Imran and Rana, Jehangir adds, "A friend once said, doing Durga Puja is not correct as a Muslim. I said if I was a doctor, you a Hindu and you were unwell, would I refuse to treat you because I am a Muslim and you are a Hindu? Don't ever ask such a question."
Mr Jehangir and friends, clearly upholding the true spirit of all religions.
The purohit there is assisted by a Muslim youth who knows all the mantras to worship the goddess with. Sheikh Jehangir, 32, is doing double duty these days. Part of his day is spent worshipping Goddess Durga, the rest, preparing for Wednesday's Muharram. His forefathers did it, he says, with forefathers of a Hindu friend and that flag must fly.
"We couldn't shut down the Puja, could we?" he asks. "Ma and Allah, they are all the same. Once a year, we get to see her. You don't get Mother all the time. When you have an opportunity, why waste it?"
His Hindu friend, Bikash Roy, says, "There are more Muslims than Hindus here but we all celebrate each other's festivals. Durga Puja, Bakr Eid, I even do Roza."
Mr Jehangir, a peon in a private firm in Howrah, and Mr Roy, who owns a shop, are residents of Munshigunj and members of the Five Star Club which hosts this unique Durga Puja.
In the narrow lane just off Khidderpore Bridge, "tazias" pass by the pandal all the time as youngsters rehearse for Muharram. Inside, 50-year-old local resident Kanaklata Das offers flowers to the goddess and, asked about the presence of Muslims, says, "I like it. Muslims are humans, we are also humans. We worship together. I feel at peace and happy."
Between playing the "dhak" with friends Bikash, Imran and Rana, Jehangir adds, "A friend once said, doing Durga Puja is not correct as a Muslim. I said if I was a doctor, you a Hindu and you were unwell, would I refuse to treat you because I am a Muslim and you are a Hindu? Don't ever ask such a question."
Mr Jehangir and friends, clearly upholding the true spirit of all religions.
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