Surat: A dargah and a Ganpati pandal located in proximity offers an unusual sight in the Diamond City. Hindus have been installing the idol of Lord Ganesha and Muslims taking out Tazia from the same place in Navsari Bazaar for over 42 years.Devotees even stand in the veranda of the dargah, recently renovated by trustees of Mota Mandir in Chauta Mandir, to pray to Lord Ganesha during the 10-day festival. The dargah is thronged by people on Thursdays to get the blessings of Balapir Baba.Harekrishna Champaneria, 62, owner of a sweetshop, said, “Devotees maintain protocol while praying to Balapir Baba and Ganpati Bappa which share space once in a year. Tazia too passes from here and there has never been any problem. Hindus and Muslims of the area had collectively decided on the renovation of the dargah and Auranga Mata Temple in the vicinity and the funds for it were given by Mota Mandir.”Salim Fruitwala and his family are caretakers of the dargah. Fruitwala said, “The history of the dargah dates back to 150 years. No harm was done to it when riots broke out in the city after demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992. There has never been a riot here in the past 50 years, at least. The idol of Lord Ganesha is being installed here for the past 42 years and this tradition will always continue. Hindus and Muslims of the area have strong bond and the bonhomie between them will survive time.”Hindus pay respect to Tazia when it is taken out from the dargah on Muharram and Muslims reciprocate similarly when the idol of Lord Ganesha is taken out for immersion from the pandal.A resident of Chanallawad locality said, “This is a unique place in the city. Muslims and Hindus respect each others’ faith and there is no rancour absolutely.”

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