A picture of Hindu-Muslim unity (Getty Images)
Bakrid-Adhik Maas Ekadashi 2026: The festival of Bakrid is being celebrated with great pomp across the country. Meanwhile, such a heart-touching example of Ganga-Jamuni culture and Hindu-Muslim brotherhood has come to light from the pilgrimage site of Pandharpur in Solapur district of Maharashtra, whose echo is being heard in the entire country. This year, due to the festival of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Azha) and the Hindu holy month of Adhikama Ekadashi falling on the same day. Respecting the religious sentiments of Hindu brothers and sisters, the Muslim community of Pandharpur took a historic and sensitive decision of not sacrificing a goat that day.
Pandharpur is counted among the largest and most prominent temple towns of Maharashtra. There is a world famous temple of Lord Vitthal (Shri Krishna) here. This year, the coincidence of Bakrid and Adhik Maas Ekadashi 2026 was happening on the same day. Adhik Maas Ekadashi comes once every three years, and on this special occasion, lakhs of Hindu devotees (Varkari) from every corner of the country reach Pandharpur for the darshan of Lord Vitthal.
Respecting the sentiments of Hindus
A senior member of the local Muslim community said – I have been living in Pandharpur for years and have been associated with all the festivals of the temple here. To respect the faith and sentiments of the devotees of Lord Vitthal, we unanimously decided that we will not sacrifice a goat on the day of Ekadashi. We will complete this religious ritual after two days (by moving it forward).
Unwavering faith in Lord Vitthal
This is not the first time that the Muslims of Pandharpur have set such an example of communal harmony. According to the local people, the Muslim community living in Pandharpur also has deep faith and respect for Lord Vitthal in their hearts. Even before this, whenever in history Bakrid and Ekadashi or any other major Hindu festival has fallen on the same day, then the Muslim community here, for the sake of brotherhood, has extended the rules of its festival by a few days so that no devotee or local citizen is hurt.
Prayers for peace and brotherhood across the country
On one hand, Pandharpur wrote a new chapter of sacrifice and mutual respect, on the other hand, the festival of Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated with great joy and peace in the entire country. From the historic Jama Masjid of Delhi to the Dargah of Khwaja Garib Nawaz in Ajmer Sharif, Rajasthan, lakhs of heads bowed before God in the morning prayers.
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Only one echo was heard from mosques and Eidgahs – country’s progress, peace and unbreakable brotherhood. A pilgrim who had come to offer namaz in Delhi said, “We want that every festival should work to unite the country. We have prayed to Allah that this bouquet of love and brotherhood always remains fragrant in our country.” From Uttar Pradesh to Rajasthan, there were tight security arrangements in all sensitive areas, due to which the festival was conducted in a very peaceful and dignified atmosphere.
