Fazal Pathan/Pune

Freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhat Tilak started Ganeshotsav in Pune to unite the people against the British and promote mutual brotherhood. The spirit of the community celebrations on Ganeshotsav continues as there are many examples of religious harmony and unity across Maharashtra.

However, the installation of the Ganesh idol in a mosque is the most unique incident and it has been happening in Maharashtra.

Gotkhindi village of Valva tehsil of Sangli district of the state has been cherishing the tradition of religious harmony for many years. This village is famous throughout Maharashtra for celebrating Ganeshotsav and thus a living testimony to the Hindu-Muslim unity.

During Ganeshotsav, the idol of Ganpati is installed at the premises of dargah and mosque in many places in Maharashtra and is worshipped according to the rituals. The tradition of Ganeshotsav in Gotkhindi has been going on for more than four decades, 

Narrating history of this tradition, Rahul Kokate, Secretary of New Ganesh Mandal, told this reporter, "Some 43 years ago, Hindus installed Ganpati in Jhunjar Chowk of Gotkhindi village.It rained heavily, and water started dripping on the idol of Ganpati. Then the elderly Muslim members of the mosque suggested bshifting the idol of Ganpati to the mosque."

"Due to this decision of the Muslim brothers, the idol of Ganpati remained safe from the rain. The next year a meeting was held in the village and it was decided that in the future Ganpati will be installed in the premises of the mosque. Both the communities happily accepted this decision."

The Muslim community of Gotkhindi had extended a helping hand to the Hindus of the village four decades ago. By allowing the consecration of Ganpati in the mosque premises during Ganeshotsav, they presented a unique example of Hindu-Muslim unity and religious harmony.

Even today, Muslims of the village are always ready to extend a helping hand to complete the Ganeshotsav celebrations. Muslims usuallay serve prasad  and they also join Aarti and other prayers during the festival.

In 2009, a major took place in Miraj of Sangli district during Ganesh Chaturthi, leading to communal tension. However, the festival was conducted with normal gaiety and tradition in the Gotkhindi village, located just a few kilometers away..

During the last few years, Bakreid and Anant Chaturdashi fell on the same day. Bakri Eid is one of the main festivals of the Muslim community, while Anant Chaturdashi is one of the major festivals of the Hindus.

In this situation, the Muslims did not celebrate Bakri Eid and they put if off by a day. Giving information about Moharram and Ganeshotsav, Secretary Rahul Kokate says,"In 1986 and 2019, Moharram and Ganeshotsav fell together. Even then, the Hindu and Muslim communities together established the Moharram Panj and Ganpati at the same place."

Ganeshotsav is one of the major festivals of Maharashtra. On this occasion, Sarvajanik Mandals organize various cultural programs and competitions for ten days. Youths from Hindu and Muslim communities of New Ganesh Mandal come together in large numbers to do enlightenment work. At this time, during Ganeshotsav, they work shoulder to shoulder-and complete various programs with great enthusiasm.

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The Muslim community of Gotkhindi always participates enthusiastically in Hindu festivals and events. The Muslim people of the village say, "On every festival, Hindus and Muslims visit each other's houses and wish each other. When it comes to festivals, we do not feel whether we are Hindus or Muslims. We are all one, and with this feeling, we celebrate various festivals and events together."