logo
This 200-year-old Madhya Pradesh temple brings Hindus and Muslims together on Muharrum for a sacred ritual

This 200-year-old Madhya Pradesh temple brings Hindus and Muslims together on Muharrum for a sacred ritual

Time of Indiaa day ago
In a moving show of
communal harmony
,
Muharram processions
in the small town of Bhander continue to honour a nearly two-century-old tradition: paying respects to Lord Krishna at the Chaturbhuj temple before proceeding toward Karbala.
On Sunday, as 37 tazias (ceremonial Muharram tableaux) made their way through the streets of Bhander in Datia district, they paused outside the
Chaturbhuj Maharaj temple
— offering a 'salami' (salute) to the deity in a ritual that has long been part of the town's collective heritage.
Built by a Muslim family, guarded by a shared faith
What makes this tradition remarkable is that the temple itself was constructed nearly 200 years ago by a local Muslim family — the Hazaris — and even today, the site stands as a testament to the shared faith and culture known as
Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb
.
"This year we had 37 tazias, and on the last day, the route passes first through Chaturbhuj Maharaj temple and then to the Karbala," Abdul Jabbar, head of the
Bhander Karbala Committee
, told ToI. "The tazias first pay 'salami' before moving ahead. The priest of the temple comes out and blesses the tazias."
For 63-year-old Jabbar, the ritual is deeply personal. "I am 63 years old and I have seen it since my childhood. The idol at the temple was found centuries ago by a local Muslim family named the
Hazari family
in Sontalai, a pond situated in the town. The family then built the temple."
Live Events
He recounted a powerful tale passed down through generations — about the idol refusing to move unless a Hazari family member was present during the annual 'gyaras' holy bath.
"Later, close to the country's Independence, only one elderly female member of the Hazari family was alive. She too was bedridden, and on gyaras when people couldn't lift the idol, she was somehow brought to the temple. The folklore says, 'here she prayed and told the idol,
Ab uth jaana
, koi nahi aa payega humare parivar se (from now on get lifted, no one from our family will be able to come now).' It is said, people were able to move the idol since then."
From generation to generation, the legacy continues
Ramesh Panda, the current temple priest, says his family has served at the temple for generations — and always with the support of the Muslim community.
'The temple has around 5 bighas of land donated by the Muslim family that built it. It's a nearly 200-year-old temple. My maternal grandfather used to be the priest there. After his death, my father became the priest, and after his death, I am the priest,' he told TOI.
He also recalled times of communal tension, when the local Muslim community stepped forward to protect the temple.
'The temple was not only built by a Muslim family but guarded by Muslims. I remember decades ago there was communal tension. At that time, police arrived here but local Muslims came forward assuring the administration that they would guard the temple and no police or force was required,' Panda said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Incomplete Retaining Walls, Blocked Spillway Raise Ambazari Flood Fears
Incomplete Retaining Walls, Blocked Spillway Raise Ambazari Flood Fears

Time of India

time6 hours ago

  • Time of India

Incomplete Retaining Walls, Blocked Spillway Raise Ambazari Flood Fears

Nagpur: As rain continues to pound Nagpur since Sunday night, fear-induced sleeplessness has once again gripped residents living downstream of Ambazari dam and along Nag river. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The memories of September 2023 flash floods are haunting residents of the worst-hit neighbourhoods like Corporation Colony and Shankar Nagar, forcing them spend night taking turns to monitor rising dam water levels. With retaining walls still incomplete and the spillway of the dam partially obstructed by a monument, many fear a repeat of the September 2023 late night disaster. Despite repeated claims of preparedness by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), a ground visit by TOI on Monday revealed glaring vulnerabilities. In Corporation Colony — the epicentre of September 2023's flooding — at least three critical spots along the Nag river remain unprotected, with no retaining wall constructed. In Shankar Nagar too, the damaged wall along the river remains unrestored, exposing nearby homes to direct flood risk. "The river is barely metres away from our houses. If it overflows again, we'll have no protection," a resident said, pointing to an open bank where floodwaters surged last year. Ironically, the same stretch was recently inspected by senior civic officials, including NMC commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, during a desilting operation. While heavy machinery was used to clear the silt, no protective structure has been rebuilt since. TOI has already highlighted that of the 56 damaged retaining wall sites across the Nag, Pili, and Pora rivers, 51 have been completed. "Five major sites are pending. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We have requested additional Rs70 crore from the state to complete them," said NMC chief engineer Manoj Talewar. However, residents and activists say these delays are inexcusable. What's worsened the situation is the continued blockage of the Ambazari dam's spillway tray — the main outlet for excess water — by the Swami Vivekanand memorial. The monument was constructed much before the flash floods and, although not the cause of the floods, it remains an obstruction in the dam's tail channel. Retired civil engineer Yeshwant Khorgade explained, "The dam was designed to discharge 320 cubic metres per second (cumec), but the channel area available near the statue is only about 35 sq.m., whereas the minimum required is 107 sq.m. As per IS 7784 (Indian standards codes that provide guidelines for the design of cross-drainage works), this violates safe velocity and flow standards, increasing the risk of overflow. " Adding to the concern, the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) study tested the spillway for just 116 cumec — far below the original design. The irrigation department has stated in an affidavit that dam safety is NMC's responsibility. Yet, NMC itself has told the high court it lacks technical expertise to manage a dam. "This is a disaster waiting to happen," said another flood-hit resident Gajanan Deshpande. "The dam must be handed over to the state irrigation department. Civic officials are gambling with our lives," he said. After removing almost all obstacles by widening the stretches and deepening the riverbed, residents say the flood mitigation plan may work this monsoon. "But if we get continuous heavy rain, it might not be enough," said Dr Archana Deshpande, a resident of Shankar Nagar. As monsoon activity intensifies, with more downpours forecast, experts are calling for an urgent audit of the dam structure, retaining walls, and flood mitigation works. With residents already standing guard each night, it's a race against time to prevent Nagpur from being submerged once more.

Admin moots action plan to check sewage flow into city's lifeline
Admin moots action plan to check sewage flow into city's lifeline

Time of India

time10 hours ago

  • Time of India

Admin moots action plan to check sewage flow into city's lifeline

Lucknow: Around 130 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated sewage continues to flow directly into the Gomti river, worsening its already severe pollution levels. The matter came under review in a meeting chaired by divisional commissioner Roshan Jacob on Monday, following a report, 'Gomti continues to battle untreated sewage and filth' published in TOI on Sunday. During the meeting, officials from Jal Nigam said that out of the 730 MLD of sewage generated daily in the city, only 600 MLD is treated, leaving a gap of 130 MLD that finds its way untreated into the river. They also revealed that 32 drains discharge wastewater into the Gomti, of which only 26 have been tapped so far. Jacob directed the departments concerned to draft a clear action plan to close this treatment gap and prevent any untreated waste from entering the river. She also emphasised the need for regular cleaning to ensure that no solid waste is seen floating in the river and instructed the Lucknow Municipal Corporation to maintain cleanliness on a routine basis. Further, she ordered the installation of grills at all drains discharging into the Gomti to stop garbage from entering the river. It was also informed that the GS Canal Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) has become operational and is expected to ease the burden on existing infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Highlighting ongoing environmental restoration, Jacob noted that 5 km of the Kukrail river stretch was dredged. She instructed the LMC and LDA to conduct plantation drives along the dredged stretch under the "Pavitra Dhara" initiative. The meeting was attended by LDA vice chairman Prathamesh Kumar, municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar, and other senior officials.

Devotees question fee collection for immersing ashes in Periyar
Devotees question fee collection for immersing ashes in Periyar

Time of India

time12 hours ago

  • Time of India

Devotees question fee collection for immersing ashes in Periyar

Kochi: Travancore devaswom board (TDB) began imposing a fee on devotees who immerse ashes, a ritual followed by Hindus after cremation, in Periyar River adjacent to Aluva Mahadeva Temple. The decision to impose a fee of Rs 50 is being questioned by devotees. Fee system came into effect on July 1. On average, around 50 people from various parts of the state arrive at Manappuram daily to perform this ritual, whereas the number increases on religiously important days. Devotees have started questioning TDB for imposing a fee for immersing ashes in a river that falls under the jurisdiction of irrigation department. At the same time, people's representatives feign ignorance about TDB decision. "We heard it from news reports. We don't have any other details. Moreover, the issue doesn't come under the purview of Aluva municipality," a municipal councillor said. It is learnt that TDB has set up a counter at the site to collect fee using temporary staff. Though TOI tried to contact temple administrative officer over phone, the official didn't respond. According to devotees, TDB takes responsibility for cleaning bathing ghats and riverbanks during major events such as Shivaratri and Karkidaka Vavu, but riverbanks remain dirty with garbage on normal days.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store