In a first, Udupi’s famous Krishna temple/mutt organised an Iftar for Muslims at the Annabrahma Dining Hall in the temple complex on Saturday. They also participated in the ‘Souharda Upahara Koota’ (harmony breakfast meet), according to a report in The Hindu. The event was mooted by Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt, who is presently in his fifth Paryaya.
According to the report, a gathering of Muslims broke their fast at 6:59 pm. They were served banana, watermelon, apple, dates and cashewnut along with ‘kashaya’ made of black pepper, at the dinning hall. Vishwesha Tirtha Swami himself served dates to those who had gathered to break their fast.
“Hindus and Muslims should both live together in harmony,” said the Swami, according to The Hindu report.
“Muslims have shown lot of affection for me in Mangaluru, Kasaragod and Bhatkal. They have given their offering during the Paryaya festival,” he added.
Video Courtesy: YouTube
Vishwesha Tirtha Swami also urged that Karnataka and more specifically the coastal region, should become a land of harmony. “All are children of the same creator,” said Swami, who has been closely associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Thirty years ago, during his third Paryaya, he had organised a Hindu–Muslim Sammelan during the Eid festival at Rajangana Hall here, the seer recalled.
Later, after breaking the fast, the Muslims offered prayers (namaz) on the second floor of the dinning hall building under the guidance of Maulana Innayatullah, Imam of Anjuman Masjid.
Earlier, Rahim Uchila, vice-president of the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party Minority Morcha, said this was a momentous occasion.
For interesting news videos from InUth, follow us on Youtube.com/InUthdotcom
