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Hindu devotees preserve Iraqi saint's shrine

As another reflection of true Indian culture, Hindu worshippers at a Muslim shrine in Assam have been protecting it for over 75 years.

Published on: Dec 13, 2005, 15:01:00 IST
PTI | By , Saparguri (Assam)
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As another reflection of true Indian culture, Hindu worshippers at a Muslim shrine in Assam have been protecting it for over 75 years.

HT Image
HT Image

The Hindu devotees in Saparguri village of Shibsagar district of Assam are vigilant lest the floodwaters of river Brahamputra affect the Ajan Peer shrine.

Recently they have constructed a concrete structure around the Dargah.

It is believed that about half a millennia ago an Iraqi saint had arrived and settled here. Having witnessed his mystical powers people flocked to worship him but the place fell into ruins. In the 1930s, the shrine was rediscovered.

"People of all faiths worship Ajaan Peer's Dargah. There are very few Muslims here, majority are Hindus. People from far off areas visit this place and seek blessings or pray for the fulfilment of their wishes. There is no feeling of the Peer (Shrine) being Hindu or Muslim," says Yogendra Hazarika.

Alimuddin Ali, the Muslim caretaker, who has been brought to the Dargah to properly take care of all rituals, recalls "In the seventies when I was brought here to help in taking care of this place was a jungle and tigers roamed the place. I had a little problem adjusting to the place but things are fine now," says Ali. (ANI)

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