Temple offers payasam to believers after Eidgah

Kozhikode: In a heartening display of communal harmony, officials of Palliyarakkal Sree Durga Bhagavathi Temple served payasam (south Indian sweet pudding) to around 2,200 Muslim believers who attended the Eidgah at the ground next to the temple at Kinassery in Kozhikode on Friday. Temple officials began preparing payasam as early as 2am, foregoing sleep to serve it on time to those who offered Eid prayers in the morning.This is not the first such gesture by temple authorities. Last year, in a similar show of inter-faith solidarity, they had provided the ground, which they had taken on rent for the annual temple festival, to conduct Eidgah when it coincided with festival days."Here, we live as one community and such camaraderie is part of our everyday life. During the temple's Thalapoli procession, Muslim brethren come forward to offer juice and biscuits to Hindu devotees," said U Jithesh, an office-bearer of the temple committee.He said Muslim residents also take part in the temple festival by staging Kolkali performances, while several families contribute offerings such as oil and support the temple.Ward councillor Zakir K described the gesture as touching and said Eidgah message also highlighted importance of preserving such traditions of communal harmony. He said the temple's annual festival, beginning March 23 , sees participation from people across religions. "This year, I am sponsoring one day's food offering. Our village has always lived in harmony," he said.Resident Mehroof Manalody said payasam served by the temple authorities was not just a sweet pudding but an offering of the love in their hearts. "We should be proud of being able to live in such a society," he said.