Statue of deity Alabi installed

The festival is celebrated over 9 days and this festival is significant because of the fact that it has been binding Hindu and Muslims together, bridging differences.

H G Bhaskar, who has been the in-charge of organising the festival for several years, speaking to Deccan Herald informed that his family has been holding the responsibility of organising the festival for generations and over the last 22 years he has been organising it dutifully.

He says that he has so far not witnessed any fight or drift between the people of to religion over the celebration.

“It is the festival of 9 days and after installation of the idols of Alabi, both believers of Hinduism and Islam come to offer prayers without any difference,” he says and adds that on the 9th day of the festival all those people who have toiled for the festival are thanked and honoured. Apart from this, ‘Rajabeedi utsav’ of deity Alabi will also be held followed by a sumptuous dinner for the devotees.

Bhaskar says that while there is difference cropping up between the two religions in most of the places, this Muharram celebration is a lesson for all as to how Hindu-Muslims can live in unity.