JOIN USVaramahalakshmi fest unites people of diferent religions
Even as the people, who traditionally celebrate Varamahalakshmi festival were busy in the ‘vratha’, puja and feasting, there were instances of the people of other faiths also participating in the festivities in the region.
People from both Muslim and Christian communities were part of the celebration at Mahalakshmi temple at Vokkalageri on Ashoka Road, in the city. The temple committee had organised the festivities in association with the city unit of the JD(S). Hindu women introduced the customs and traditions of celebrating Varamahalakshmi festival to Muslim and Christian women.
JD(S) city president K Harish Gowda had sponsored 500 ‘bagina’, each of which included a saree, bangles, fruits, flowers, fruits, vermilion, turmeric powder and other traditional items. The baginas were distributed among the women of all three faiths.
Gowda said, communalism is on the rise as people do not understand each other well. “There will be better understanding among the people of various communities, if we take part in the rituals of each other. An insight into the beliefs, traditions and cultures of each other will promote peace and harmony in the society. Ours is a step towards promoting trust and confidence among the communities,” he said.
Moulana Aftab, Christian leader Vincent, JD(S) leaders M Basavaraj, Anantha Narayana, Lakshman, Ramanna, Bhaskar, Lokesh, Deepu, Guru, Madesh and Jagadish were present.
Hindu-Muslim couple celebrate
In Kotehundi village, in the taluk, Zakir Husain and S V Mamatha couple, celebrated the festival, with their children Sanu and Arshad and friends. Husain is the secretary of District Kannada Sahitya Parishat. He said, theirs is an inter-faith marriage and both respect each others’ customs and traditions.
The festival was celebrated with religious fervour across the old Mysuru region, including the districts of Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Hassan. Most of the women in government and private offices took leave for the festival, hence attendance was thin. The government offers restricted holiday for Varamahalaikshmi festival.
Even as the people were celebrating the festival, farmers and vendors continued doing brisk business of vegetables, fruits and flowers. Bangle stores also made good business of artificial jewellery and cosmetics. Women were seen visiting the houses of relatives and friends in the evening.