Tazia next to temple: A perfect picture of harmony

VADODARA: Mukesh Chauhan, a resident of Godhra, the Ground Zero of 2002 Gujarat riots, installs a Tazia on Moharram even as he prays at a temple near it. Both Hindu and Muslim devotees come to pray at the same place.
It was for the first time this year that Chauhan decided to install a Tazia. He said that it is located near the temple of Goddess Amba in the Bhutdi Jhampa area.
Chauhan, who installed the Tazia near a temple, began revering the dargahs at Hussain Tekri in Jaora after his wife Sonal took ill about three years ago. She was cured after a visit to Jaora.
On his return he started meeting people who were in a situation like him was helped them.
“I had spent Rs 4-5 lakhs on my wife’s treatment. She was treated eventually after the visit to the dargahs in Jaora,” said Chauhan. He added that he was asked to help others when his wife was cured and he vowed to do so without charging any money. “People just have to give whatever material is needed for prayers and for the small place of worship we have made here,” he said.
Chauhan, who takes up sanitation and drainage work as labour, said that the temple was very old. “I take care of it now. We hold Ganpati, Navratri and other festivals here. People from all faiths are welcome and join the celebrations,” he said.