Chennai: Muslims welcomed Lord Srimushnam Poovaraga Swami while the temple authorities took the lord on procession in Killai of Cuddalore on the occasion of Masi Magam on Tuesday. The act of the Muslims was seen as a gesture to promote religious harmony in the district.
Every year, people take a dip and offer tharpanam to their ancestors at the beach in Killai. During the same time, the temple authorities ensure to take Lord Srimushnam Poovaraga Swami in a procession, according to a report on ABP Nadu.
On Wednesday, the authorities took Lord Srimushnam Poovaraga Swami in a procession. When they neared Syed Sha Rahmathullah dargah, the Muslims dignitaries welcomed the lord.
The Muslims led by Syed Chakhab handed over silk cloth, rice and coconut to the authorities.
The Hindus then garlanded the Rahmathullah tomb. The gesture between Hindus and Muslims has been ongoing for over 200 years.
The procession of Lord Poovaraga Swami was taken to the beach and a ritual of theervari was held.
Last year, Hindus and Muslims put an end to the communal tensions and started to live in harmony at V Kalathur village in Perambalur. In 1912, a clash broke out in connection with the Hindus taking a deity in procession during the annual Selliyamman temple festival. The procession included a street in which Muslims lived. So the Muslims opposed the move.
In 1990, there was a minor clash between the two religious groups. Later, court cases were filed in 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021 against the procession.
Last year, the Muslims with the effort of District SP S Mani called Hindus to take part in Santhana Koodu procession. The Hindu members took part in it. Later, the Hindus invited the Muslims for their festival. This ended the long pending dispute, said the SP, as per Siasat.