Mosque and temple in the same courtyard, 56 Years of Durga Puja in a bond of Harmony
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Think of a mosque and a temple in the same courtyard in Bangladesh! Durga Puja is being held every year on a common courtyard in Tangail. It is a testimony of practising each one's own religion in a bond of mutual respect and harmony.
During the call to prayer at the mosque, all musical instruments, including drums, are stopped at the temple. After the prayer is over, the puja arrangements begin again. The administration also says they remain vigilant to keep harmony intact. There is no fear there.
It is learned that the activities of the mosque and the temple have been running in the same courtyard for about 56 years in Nagarpur Sadar of Nagarpur Upazila in Tangail. Although each community observes its own religious rituals with great festivity, even during major festivals like Durga Puja, all arrangements, including drums and fireworks, are stopped during the Azan, call to prayer, at the mosque.
Shri Paresh Chandra and Shailesh Chandra first established the temple of Goddess Durga at the Chowdhury Bari in Nagarpur Sadar. A few years later, in 1962, the central Jame Mosque of the Muslims was established in the same courtyard. Since then, the religious activities of people of both faiths have been going on side by side.
In addition, Durga Puja is being organized at 1,357 mandaps across 12 upazilas of Tangail. Among them, Mirzapur Upazila has the highest number of 270 puja mandaps. On the other hand, Delduar Upazila has the lowest number of 34 mandaps.
Ganesh Chandra Ray said that after the call to prayer at the mosque, worshippers come to offer prayers. At that time, all arrangements for the worship of Goddess Durga are stopped. After the prayer is over, the puja rituals begin again. In this way, followers of Sanatan Dharma observe their festival while showing respect for the religious activities of Islam. On the other hand, people of the Muslim community also do not create any kind of obstruction to their religious activities.
Local residents said that as soon as the call to prayer is given at the mosque, all kinds of musical instruments at the temple stop. For this, no one needs to be told anything separately. During Durga Puja, the temple comes alive with the sound of drums, lighting, and the presence of devotees. People of the local Muslim and Hindu communities welcome each other's joy.
Visiting the spot, it was seen that the temple established at the Chowdhury Bari in Nagarpur Sadar is one of the largest temples in the area. In the courtyard of the same house is the Chowdhury Bari Central Jame Mosque. Inside the boundary wall, the temple is on the west side of the courtyard and the mosque on the east side. There is an arrangement for ablution on the south side of the mosque.
Pesh Imam of Chowdhury Bari Central Jame Mosque Maulana Humayun Kabir said that the mosque and the temple have been in the same courtyard for a long time. People of the Hindu community observe various religious ceremonies centered on the temple. On the other hand, local Muslims observe their religious ceremonies centered on the mosque. No one has ever had to say anything about this. They celebrate religious festivals together with one another.
General Secretary of the Puja Celebration Committee Jhunat Kumar Saha said that local Muslims take care to ensure that no disruption occurs in the observance of various religious festivals by the Hindu community. He expressed the hope that this example of harmony will spread across the country. He believes this can play a positive role in preventing communal conflict.
Nagarpur Upazila Executive Officer Likhan Banik said that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. Chowdhury Bari is a shining example of this. A mosque and a temple are in the same courtyard. Muslims offer prayers, and followers of Sanatan Dharma observe puja. Like previous years, puja is being observed smoothly and peacefully this year as well.
Superintendent of Police of Tangail Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar said that Durga Puja is the largest religious festival of the followers of Sanatan Dharma. Puja is being observed smoothly and beautifully at 1,357 puja mandaps in the district. Special security measures have been taken around Durga Puja. Intelligence activities have also been increased.
On the other hand, people of both communities have been observing their respective religious rituals at the mosque and the temple in the same courtyard at Chowdhury Bari in Nagarpur. This example of mutual respect, harmony, and coexistence has created a unique environment in the area.
Member of Parliament for Tangail-6 (Delduar-Nagarpur) constituency Md. Rabiul Awal Lavel told Agamiya Samay, "There is no such thing as a minority in this country; we are all people of this country. Everyone will practice their own religion. Puja is observed at the puja mandap and prayers are offered in the same courtyard; there is no problem in this. We all live together in harmony and unity."
