In a bid to promote communal harmony, Muslims welcomed the passing Kanwariyas in Delhi’s Bara Hindu Rao area on Wednesday and showered flower petals on them.
Kanwariyas are the group of Hindu devotees who walk from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, with Ganga water in a container and make sure the water they carry must not touch the land or soil and offer it in five major Shiva temples after making a ritualistic parikrama (circumambulations). Their entire journey is called Kanwar Yatra.
The Pilgrims received a warm welcome with garlands by the prominent Muslim residents of the area and were offered refreshments. The members of both communities hugged each other as they came together in harmony.
A local Muslim resident said, “Politicians can do whatever they want to create the rift between both the communities, but the real India exists where harmony, peace and brotherhood are on priority”.
“We believe in unity in diversity and this is the real idea of India”, he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) Sagar Singh Kalsi said that shiva devotees were welcomed with garlands by the Muslims, while residents showered flowers from the windows of their homes.
He told, “Some people from the Muslim community came to receive and welcome the Kanwariyas and expressed happiness. They were so joyed that they brought drums and members from both communities danced together.
He further said, “Refreshment, fruits, water and cold drinks were also distributed by the Muslims among the Kanwariyas”.
Meanwhile, police security has been increased across Delhi to deal with any untoward incident during the return of Kanwariyas.
Similar gestures were also noted in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra, where the Muslims have put up stalls of cold water, food, and medicines to facilitate the Kanwariyas covering their Kanwar Yatra.
The journey began on Friday and the local Muslims sought permission from the administration to set up facilitation stalls on the roads.
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Ghazala Ahmad is the Delhi Correspondent for The Cognate.
