Navaratri, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated side by side in Kalyan town

Hindus and Muslims on Sunday celebrated their respective festivals of Navaratri and Eid-ul-Fitr peacefully in Kalyan city in Maharashtra, which has the places of worship of the two religions located nearby.

Kalyan (Maharashtra), Oct 14 : Hindus and Muslims on Sunday celebrated their respective festivals of 'Navaratri' and Eid-ul-Fitr peacefully in Kalyan city in Maharashtra, which has the places of worship of the two religions located nearby.

Hundreds of Hindus and Muslims thronged the temple of Goddess Durga and the mosque located in Kalyan city near Thane.

While the Hindus flocked the temple to observe the nine-day Navratri festival, Muslims gathered at the mosque to offer prayers on Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Leaders of the two communities held meetings for the last one-month to make the festivities a peaceful affair.

It was decided that the temple bells would not be rung for a particular two hours on Sunday so that prayers could be offered at the mosque.

"After mediation between the leaders of the community, it was decided that both communities would perform own religious rituals. They asked us for a favour that for two hours we will not ring temple bells and we did that," said Dhashrath Ghadigaonkar, a Hindu devotee.

"The solidarity between the two communities came to fore today," Ghadigaonkar added.

The devotees commended the presence of police to avoid any communal tension due to a huge gathering of Hindus and Muslims expected in the same area.

"The leaders of both the communities have done a very courageous job. With the help of senior police officials and proper security arrangement, things have been very peaceful and very good," said Minaraj Mir Zyada, a Muslim devotee.

Security was tightened to avert tension during the religious festivals.

Devotees, who thronged the mosque to offer prayers, performed their rituals peacefully.

While Eid-ul-Fitr, which means 'the feast of breaking fast', is the biggest and most important festival on the Islamic calendar, "Navratri", dedicated to Goddess Durga is celebrated twice a year, -- during the spring and the autumn season.

ANI