Kali Puja is very famous in Bhagalpur, Bihar. The statues of Maa Kali will be installed at 11 pm on 31st October. The idol will be raised for immersion from the night of 2nd October. Kali Puja of the district is quite famous. This is also an example of mutual brotherhood. There is a Kali temple in Bhagalpur, which has been maintained by a Muslim family for decades. Even during the riots in Bhagalpur, this family had come forward to protect the temple.
In the month of October 1989, a few days before Kali Puja, the whole of Bhagalpur was burning in the fire of riots. Arson and massacre were taking place in the city. In which more than one thousand people died. During the riots, anti-social elements were attacking faith and damaging religious places. During this time, some people of Muslim society had presented a better example of Ganga-Jamuni culture.
Kali temple was saved from rioters
The Maa Kali temple and statue located in Momin Tola of the city was kept safe on his own strength. From then till today, the Muslim community along with the Hindus has been conducting Kali Puja in a peaceful environment. Haji Mohammad Ilyas of Momin Tola of Bhagalpur has been taking care of the security of the Kali temple since 1965. During the riots in 1989, when some anti-social elements tried to damage the temple, Haji Ilyas stood as a shield with the Hindus. However, this year Ilyas is very ill, so he has given the responsibility to his son Ishtiaq.
Had raised the stick to protect the temple
This temple is said to be quite mythological. This year too, preparations for Kali Puja are going on in full swing. Haji Ilyas told that when the riot started, some anti-social elements came to damage the Kali temple, but we also picked up the stick and pacified everyone by convincing them. After that everyone together preserved the temple. We have been participating in the program continuously since 1965, everything happens peacefully every year.
Muslim community had cooperated during the riots – Pandit
Ishtiaq, son of Haji Ilyas, says that there is no Hindu population around the temple. Father is taking everyone along. A committee of youth has been formed, which cooperates in every puja of Kali temple. Wherever there are shortcomings, we complete them. As of now there is no discrimination of any kind here. Ranjit Pandit, who has been building the statue for the last 35 years, said that the statue was built during the riots. There was no problem of any kind. Everyone got the puja done together and after a month the idol of Maa Kali was immersed. The Muslim community had cooperated during the riots.
