Muslim woman's devotion to Durga lauded by Hindu neighbours

A 45-year-old Muslim woman's devotion to Goddess Durga during Navratri festival and her contribution towards building a temple for the deity has earned her applause from Hindus in a locality here.

Everyday during the nine-day Navratri festival, Sughra Bi comes to Sitla Mata Mandir, which was built by her contribution in Indiranagar area of Mandsaur three years back.

She comes to the temple with folded hands and sings praises of Goddess Durga during Navratri. Sughra keeps fast on 'Ashtami', the eighth day of Navratri, Sitla Mata Mandir Samiti president Bherulal Barhat said.

The Hindus staying in the locality are all praise for her zeal and devotion towards the deity, he said. "Her devotion and goddess edification is extraordinary," Barhat said.

"I have been worshipping Goddess Durga since last 10 to 15 years. In the beginning I used to worship the deity of Durga kept on a platform in our locality. But one night, the Goddess came in my dream and asked me to build a temple for her," Sughra, a labourer who earns Rs 4,000 monthly, told PTI.

The Durga devotee, who is mother of three children, said she asked for donation from the people to build the temple. Later on, some people chipped in and formed a society to build the temple.

Sughra's husband Ismail Khan, who works as a welder, says he raised money for building the temple.

"I raised a total donation of Rs 27,000 for constructing the temple. The local MLA too donated Rs 1 lakh for the temple in which the idol of Goddess was consecrated three years back," Khan said.