Mankameshwar temple hosts grand iftar party
LUCKNOW: The city’s old and famous Mankameshwar temple presented a rare sight on Sunday: Shaam-e-Awadh at Gomti ghat.
In a sweet, simple gesture, Mankameshwar Math and the mahant of the temple Mahant Divya Giri organised a grand iftar at the ghat, a designated place for offering ‘arti’ by the temple on special occasions, to send a strong message of unity among the masses in times of growing discord.
Some called it an evening with a blend of faiths while others said it was a symbol of unity and togetherness. But all were unanimous that it was a historical evening in the state capital when people of different communities, faith and sects sat together to partake a meal. .
Meer Jafar Abdullah, a member of the royal family of Awadh, said nothing could describe this evening better than a line— ‘Mazhab nahi sikhata apas mein bair rakhna, Hindi hain hum watan hai Hindustan hamara’.
As the temple organised the iftar to greet rozedaars in a big way, in a clean break from tradition, so a huge gathering , especially invited by the temple management, responded enthusiastically .
“It was just a small gesture to bring both the communities closer and to highlight the city’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (composite culture),” said Mahant Divya Giri. She said the idea to organise the iftaar was casual, to set an example before others. She said this was perhaps for the first time in history when an iftar was organised by a math. Interestingly, the edibles on the occasion were prepared by the temple staff on the temple premises.
Students of neighbouring Nadwa College too were among the invitees .
Shia and Sunni clerics also attended the iftar. Besides, there were rozedaars from different part of the city.
The temple management made special arrangements for the rozedaars.
There were dates, snacks, health drinks and other vegetarian edibles on the menu. Sunni cleric Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, who was present in the iftar said, “Such events should be promoted to bring the communities closer”.