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Muslims present the Lord's chariot to Jagannath temple priest

     Ahmedabad: A group of Muslim leaders presented a momento of the chariot of Lord Jagannath to the priest of the Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad today. The momento was presented as a symbol of peace and harmony between the two communities. Two days are to go for the traditional chariot festival of Lord Jagannath Beating drums and chanting slogans of Hindu-Muslim unity, the Muslim leaders reached the Lord Jagannath temple situated in Jamalpur suburb in Ahmedabad. Jamalpur is essentially a Muslim- dominated area and every year Muslims here present a momento to the head priest to express solidarity. "They (Hindus) also join us during Moharram procession. So, it is our duty to maintain harmony during the yatra," said Abdul Sheikh, a muslim leader. "Yatra is for members of all the communities. And therefore it is duty of every person irrespective of the fact whether he is a muslim or a hindu to maintain peace and harmony during the festival," added Mahant Ramdasji, priest of Jagannath temple. Preparations are in full swing for the annual festival that will kick off on Saturday (19 June). Starting at 7.15 a.m. from the temple in the Jamalpur suburb, the procession winds its way through the old parts of the city before returning to the temple at 8 p.m. Thousands of devotees throng the streets for a view of the chariots carrying idols of the Lord Jagannath, his brother Balaram and sister Subhadra.
- June 17, 2004