Daijiworld Media Network – Chamarajanagar (MS)

Chamarajanagar, Apr 8: P Rehman, a resident of Chikkahole in the taluk has shown how communal harmony can be achieved instead of fighting on trivial religious matters. He is a devotee of Lord Ganesha, though he belongs to the Muslim community.

Rehman is originally from Kerala. He came to Chamarajanagar in search of livelihood in 1980 and stayed there. He used to work as a daily labourer at the Chikkahole reservoir. Later, he got a permanent job as gate operator and retired from service four years ago.

A month before Rehman was to retire, a small idol of Lord Ganesha, which was near the canal went missing. Some miscreants had stolen it. On the same night it is believed that Lord Ganesha appeared in Rehman’s dream and asked him to build a temple for him.

He got gratuity, PF and other emoluments on retirement within a month. So he built a temple for Lord Ganesha using that money and also recruited a priest to perform pooja. He pays Rs 4,000 as a monthly salary to the priest out of the pension money that he receives. In addition, Rehman also buys fruits, coconuts, flowers on Mondays and Fridays and gets special pooja performed by the priest.

Rehman says, “I have built the temple as per the instructions of Lord Ganesha. My life has turned around after the event. I am happy due to his blessings. The colour of blood is same of the people belonging to different religions. So I believe that God is also one and so I perform pooja to Lord Ganesha.”

Temple priest Shivaswamy says, “Rehman’s family which believes in Lord Ganesha are leading a happy life. Accordingly, my family also survives on the Rs 4,000 he pays to me as my salary. Though he is a Muslim, he pays for me to perform pooja to Lord Ganesha and also helps me in my problems. This is the real example of humanity.”