Ganesh Utsav: Ganpati Bappa has been present in this mosque of Maharashtra for 45 years; it is a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity

Maharashtra News: A unique Ganesh festival is celebrated in Gotkhindi village of Maharashtra since 1980, in which a Ganesh idol is installed in the mosque. Muslims also take an active part in the worship and preparations.

A unique Ganesh festival has been celebrated in a village in Maharashtra for over four decades, with an idol of Ganpati Bappa being installed in a mosque. Ashok Patil, founder of the local Ganesh mandal, told PTI that religious tensions elsewhere have never affected residents of Gotkhindi village in Sangli district.

He said that the population of this village is around 15,000, which includes 100 families of the Muslim community. Muslims are also members of this mandal. They help in making 'prasad', performing puja and preparing for the festival.

It was started in 1980 legacy

Patil said the tradition started in 1980 when, due to heavy rains, members of the Hindu and Muslim communities decided to move the Ganapati idol inside a mosque at Gotkhindi village in Sangli district.

Patil said the tradition has continued peacefully since then with the active participation of the Muslim community. The 'New Ganesh Tarun Mandal' was set up in 1980 at Jhunjhar Chowk in the village. The idol is kept in the mosque for a 10-day celebration and then immersed in a local water body at the conclusion of the celebrations on Anant Chaturdashi.

Muslims abstain from sacrifice on Ganesh Chaturthi

Patil said that once the dates of Bakrid and Ganesh Chaturthi fell together, Muslims celebrated their festival by offering only namaz and not offering 'qurbani'. He said that they abstain from eating meat even during Hindu festivals.

He said that the whole country should take inspiration from the atmosphere of social and religious harmony here. Patil said that every year, the local police and tehsildar are invited for the 'prana pratishtha' of the Ganesh idol. This year, the 10-day Ganesh festival began on August 27.

PC:ABPNews