Here is a testimony for harmony

Fair of God Laxminarasimha would be held on May 26 and preparations for the same are going on in a war footing. The idol of Laxminarasimha would be installed in a beautifully decorated chariot on the day of fair for the public worship. The chariot is specially decorated for the purpose and the decorators of the chariot are the members of Khazi family from Sodepete.

The tradition has been in practice for more than two centuries. The Khazi family members with all faith have been doing this work even when they had personal problems. It is the prerogative of them to decorate the chariot. A fortnight before the jatra they bring the chariot out for decoration. They conduct rituals like tying up the rope, putting patake (colourful flags). On the day of fair they anchor the chariot and move the chariot in proper direction. After the fair they remove the parts of the chariot and keep the chariot in its place. Their service to the mutt is not only restricted to the fair, they would work during Navaratri festival also. Khazi family members Abdul Rakeeb, Abdul Rehman, Abdul Ravoof, Hasan Sab and Fazaluddin participating in the chariot decoration work.

“We have been doing this work with all faith since our ancestors. We do not know when this ritual came to exist. But we have been actively participating in the work” said Abdul Rehman. When asked, seer Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji said “the Khazi family has been doing this chariot decoration work since generations. This is a noble tradition and it should continue to the future”.