Muslims put up water stalls during Lord Hanuman puja

By Mohd. Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,

Lucknow: Hum Ishq Key Bandey Hain/Mazhab Sey Nahi Waqif — Gar Kaba Hua tou Kya/Butkhana Hua tou Kya. Justifying the spirit of above couplet penned by Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah, the Muslim community of Lucknow extended a helping hand in organising water stalls to mark Bada Mangal festivities on Tuesday.


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As per the traditions, Muslims had set up water stalls at prominent places in the city while they also queued up to have prasad and cold drink from various stalls in the city. Lucknow celebrates Bada Mangal as a reverence to Lord Hanuman wherein people from all walks of life set up stalls offering water, cold drink and sweets to the denizens. The trend continues for all the four Tuesdays in the month of Jyestha in Hindu calendar.


Purana Hanumaan Mandir in Lucknow

Praising the ganga-jamuni tehzeeb of Lucknow, historian Roshan Taqui opined that Muslims and Hindus have always been in forefront in celebrating and extending a helping hand in each other’s festivities. The Nawabs of Awadh gave land and finances to build temples while Hindus participated in the mourning during the month of Muharram. “The most visible example is the Purana Hanuman Mandir in Aliganj. A crescent over its dome symbolises Hindu-Muslim unity,” he said. It is believed that the temple was built after the mother of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan, Janab-e- Alia had a dream for its construction and devoting it to Lord Hanuman. Later she fulfilled her dream and the temple came into existence. “Still today we can find Muslims putting up stalls of flowers used for offerings outside various temples of the city,” said Taqui. The Hanuman Setu Mandir is a living example where Muslims students of Lucknow University also frequent it along with their students. “I still follow it which I had developed during my student days at LU. Visiting Hanuman Temple on Tuesday is a routine for me and I did this even this Tuesday,” said a former student Faheem Ahmed Siddiqui.

Over the tradition of water stalls, Hindus also do not lag behind. The stalls, which are akin to sabeels put up during the month of Muharram, do not discriminate between any religion. Hindus also set up sabeels during Muharram to offer their reverence for Imam Hussain. “We support the water stalls on Bada Mangal and our Hindu brethren put up sabeels during Muharram. It is the spirit and tradition of Lucknow. There is no religious discrimination. Our religion also stresses on offering water to the thirsty,” remarked spokesperson, All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB), Maulana Yasoob Abbas. Abbas, who is a regular contributor in organising these water stalls, even inaugurated one last year. However, he could not accomplish this time. “It was an occasion of Yaume Wiladat of Prophet’s daughter and we were busy in the functions. My greetings and best wishes are there for everyone who offered water to the thirsty,” said Abbas.

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