This Kerala temple cuts festivities in respect of bereaved Muslim man

Beeranchira: Showing an example of communal harmony and tolerance amid a situation where religious values are victimised for politics, a temple in the interior Malappuram village of Kerala has decided to cut short the temple festivities in respect of a bereaved Muslim man, who lived nearby.

The Punnassery Bhagavathi temple was going the whole hog to celebrate the annual festival when 72-year-old Cherattil Hyder died last Friday.

Temple authorities, harking back to old-timey communal harmony, decided against a full-swing festival, offering respect to Cherattiil Hyder who lived in the vicinity.

The temple cancelled ritual procession and other festival events, which were scheduled till Saturday, after Chettil Hyder died on night of February 11.

The heart-warming decision by temple authorities has moved people across communities.

P Musthafa, panchayat member for the area, is in full praise of the temple's decision.

During the Janaza (funeral prayer) temple authorities' love for the deceased was appreciated, P Musthafa added.

One of office-bears of the temple M V Vasu said that Cherattil Hyder, a sometime timber merchant, was close to Hindu community in the village and he lived across from the temple.

The temple was getting down to the brass tacks for the festival when office-bears were intimated of Hyder's death. In no time, the office-bears called off processions, truncating the festival to essential rituals.