Punjab: Maintaining communal harmony and respecting each other’s religious beliefs is a must for the organisers and devotees who visit a temple and a mosque adjoining a common wall in Somson Colony. Separated by a nine-inch wide wall on two sides, the Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir and Masjid Aqsa are testimony to the peace, resilience and reverence among Hindus and Muslims who have been visiting these combined temples for nearly eight years after the organisers of the mosque offered free electricity and water required for the construction of the temple. The preachers of the mosque bring bel patra (leaves of Aegle marmelos) from the tree on their side to offer to Lord Shiva, while devotees on the other side shuffle their routine to organise chhabeel and iftaar parties for their brethren during Ramzan.
The preachers of the Laxmi Narayan Mandir claimed that the management committees of the two temples had prepared an itinerary to ensure that religious leaders and devotees who regularly perform rituals at the temple and the mosque do not face any inconvenience. Temple priest Chetan Sharma said they perform aarti at 6 pm so that namaz can be offered at the mosque some time later. He appreciated the generosity of the mosque organisers and said they cooperated in celebrating religious festivals at the temple. Sharma said that after the aarti bhajans and temple bells subside, the maulvi gives azaan.
Maulvi Mohammad Ilyas admitted that the presence of both the temples together has set an example of communal harmony here. Ilyas claimed that devotees visiting here are usually seen paying obeisance in front of both the holy places. Social activist Amjad Ali recalls that the temple and mosque stood together and went through all the difficult times like incidents of sacrilege in the state and the country. National President of Sanatan Dharma Pratinidhi Sabha Mahant Swaroop Bihari Sharan appreciated the continuous efforts made by the management committees of both the temples. He said that this effort has helped in maintaining communal harmony in the area and also spread positivity to the outside world.
