In This Tamil Nadu Village, Hindus & Muslims Fast In Wake Of Muharram; It's 300-Year-Old Ritual

The Hindus, who dominate the area, have also started to observe a fast in the wake of Muharram along with the Muslims

Chennai: In an example for religious harmony, Hindus and Muslims of Kasavalandu Pudur, a village in Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu observe fast for 10 days in the wake of Muharram and reportedly this is a 300-year-old ritual. According to reports, this year too Muslims and Hindus took out a procession on Friday to mourn the death of Prophet's grandson Hazrat Imam Hussain.

The reports said, Maratha kings and Nanjikkottai Mannayars donated land to Nagore Dargah for constructing Minaret in Thanjavur. However, the Hindus, who dominate the area, have also started to observe a fast and mourn on Muharram along with the Muslims.

In August, around 10 days ago, the village started preparing for Muharram. They cleaned the "Allah Koil" (Mosque) and formed Allah with silk cloth and flowers in a place called Chavadi in Kasavalandu Pudur. On Friday -- Muharram day -- the villagers took out a procession while each family in the village paid homage to the procession. Mosque authorities conducted firewalks. 

However, this year the pandemic restricted the celebration but during the pre-pandemic days the women and children carry out a procession to the mosque with a pot of Panagam (a traditional drink made with jaggery) and a pot of puffed rice. The Muslims and Hindus join the ritual and give puffed rice to the Hindus. However, the COVID-19 guidelines have restricted the mourning for the second consecutive year. Hence, the villagers took out a procession with "Five Finger Allah" decorated with silk cloth and people paid obeisance door to door.