BELAGAVI: As Ganesh Chaturthi and Muharram have come around the same time after a gap of 34 years, the residents of Zenda Chowk of Belagavi are spreading the massage communal harmony by installing a Ganesh idol and the traditional doli opposite each other at one place here in the city.People of both communities are participating in the rituals of both festivals.People who come to see the Ganesh idol go to the doli as well while devotees who pray at the doli also take darshan of the Ganesh idol. A similar celebration had taken place way back in 1984.According to the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava Mandal of Zenda Chowk, freedom fighter Balagangadhar Tilak had visited Belagavi and installed the first Sarvajanik Ganesh idol at Zenda Chowk in 1905. Now, there are 378 Ganesh mandals in the city.The Al-Tajia social welfare association of Zenda Chowk celebrates Moharam festival in a grand scale every year by erecting a pandal and installing colourful doli. This is the 50th year it has installed the doli. The Ganesh idol installed on September 13 will be immersed on Sunday while the doli will be immersed on Friday.“We all are Indians and there is no difference of opinion on the celebrations among Hindu and Muslims in the area. All residents contributed money and installed the Ganesh idol and the doli. Youths of both communities have helped each other in erecting the pandal and make arrangements,” said Amanulla Pathan of Al-Tajia.Mayor Basappa Chikkaldinni, deputy mayor Madhushri Pujari and police commissioner D C Rajappa visited the pandals and appreciated the residents.Madhyawarthi Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mahamandal president Vikas Kalghatagi said, “Belagavi is a communally sensitive city. Tension used to prevail during Ganesh festival every year in sensitive areas. But residents of Zenda Chowk have given a massage of communal harmony by celebrating both the festivals together. This will have a big impact in other areas too.”

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