A temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, built on three cents of land (equivalent to 1306.8 square feet) donated by the local Jamaath, was consecrated on Sunday in Otta-palayam near Padiyur in Tiruppur district.

Muslims Donate Land

But there’s more to this story. In a heartwarming display of communal harmony, a group of Muslims in Padiyur village, Tiruppur district, donated land to their Hindu neighbours for the construction of this temple. This remarkable gesture was highlighted during the temple’s consecration ceremony on Sunday.

The new Lord Ganesha temple, constructed on land donated by the local Muslim Jamaat, is part of Rose Garden, a vast private property developed by two Muslims two decades ago. The consecration ceremony was attended by both Hindu and Muslim residents of the locality.

The ceremony featured a procession of Muslim community members participating in the traditional ‘seervarisai’ offering, presenting gifts of fruits, flowers, and other items on seven plates. Mohammed Raja, a resident and garment company owner, spoke about the community’s harmonious coexistence. He noted that the Rose Garden layout, consisting of hundreds of plots primarily owned by Muslims, also accommodates around ten Hindu families.

According to reports, Raja bought a plot in this layout eighteen years ago, which has now become a symbol of unity. When the Hindu families expressed a need for land to build a temple, the Rose Garden Muslim Jamaat, recognizing their genuine need, donated three cents of land valued at Rs 6 lakh to them three months ago.

Resident S. Kanagaraj explained that the layout, developed by two Muslims 20 years ago, included land for a mosque. When Hindu residents requested land for a temple, the Muslim community sought approval from their elders. Three months ago, they granted the request and donated land worth ₹6 lakh. The Hindu residents then raised ₹10 lakh through local donations and panchayat contributions to construct the temple.

The consecration ceremony, known as kumbhabhishekam, was a lively event. Muslim community members brought gifts of fruits, flowers, and other traditional items, taking part in the ‘Seer Varisai’ offering. They also donated ₹30,000 towards the ‘annadanam,’ a community meal, showcasing their support.

As per reports, The Rose Garden Muslim Jamaat’s generous donation was motivated by the lack of suitable land for a temple in a locality where about 300 families live. The ceremony saw children and elders from both communities mingling, accompanied by drum beats.

Muslim attendees, warmly welcomed with garlands, participated in the rituals by offering items to the priests for the sanctification ceremony and ‘Pran Pratishtha’ (idol installation). The event concluded with Jamaath members organizing a communal meal, bringing joy to everyone present.