India is made up of many different faiths and cultures. Steeped in rich history, one of India’s biggest strengths is its unity in diversity.
One such example of communal harmony is a tale of a Muslim priest who offers prayers at a Hindu temple.
The village of Bagoriya in Bhopalgarh tehsil in Jodhpur district in Rajasthan stands out among other villages. Here, in a temple of Goddess Durga, a Muslim priest named Jamaludin Khan offers prayers on a daily basis.
Jamaludin’s family and forefathers have been serving as head priests in this temple for the last 600 years.
Jamaludin says, 600 years ago due to massive drought in Sindh province his family came to this village in search of food and shelter and stayed there.
Jamaludin offers his Namaz simultaneously while worshipping the goddess. He keeps Rozah and also does fasting during Navratri. The villagers have said that Jamaludin also performs havans and rituals a per Hindu traditions.
“When my family members were on their way to central India, two camels suffered fracture and the caravan had to stop in the middle of the desert. All the family members had to spend several days and nights in the desert without food or water,” he said.
“They were on the verge of death when Durga appeared in the dreams of one of my forefathers and showed him the way to a nearby step, where they quenched their thirst,” he said, adding that from this moment, his ancestors made this village their home.