A Muslim family in Assam is protecting Hindu shrine for 500 years

At a time when the national capital has seen the worst communal violence in decades, there are people in the country standing as a beacon of hope for secularism and communal harmony. The family of Motibar Rahman, a resident of Guwahati's Rangmahal has been the keeper of a Hindu shrine for the past 500 years.

Guwahati:The time is5 am and even as the members of his family are still in their slumber, Motibar Rahman is awake and has just completed his Namaz after taking bath. After the Namaz, Rahman slowly walks towards the backyard of his house to clean the ancient Burha Gosair Than, a sacred place where Lord Shiva is worshipped.

Although it sounds weird, the family of Rahmans has been the keepers of this sacred religious place of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva for over five centuries now. Like his forefathers, Motibar sweeps the shrine every morning and lights up some candles for Lord Shiva, who the locals believe, lives there.

A Hindu Shrine in the backyard

“I have been doing this for the last several years—since I was very young. Before me, my father used to do this work and his father before him. Our family has been the keepers of this holy place since over last 500 years,” said 73-year old Motibar Rahman, a resident of Rangmahal in North Guwahati, located about 45 km away from Assam’s capital Dispur.

“The first man in our family was Borhansa. Lord Shiva came to Borhansa and told him that he wanted to live in this place. From now on it will be the responsibility of the family to keep this place. Lord said I shall accept service from your family only and no one else. Since then the service of Lord Shiva became a part of our family and we are doing it for generations,” said Motibar, who also calls Lord Shiva as Bhanguri Nana (‘Bhanguri’ is one addicted to cannabis as Lord Shiva is often connected to it and ‘Nana’ means grandfather).

The family has been the keeper of the temple for 500 years

“We follow Islam and I try to offer all the five Namaz. Likewise, I also come here every day to clean this place and light the candles and incense sticks. There is no temple here but for years people are coming here seeking the blessings of Bhanguri Nana. He listens to everyone and fulfils everyone’s wish,” Rahman said.

“I am getting old now. So after me, it has to be my sons who are duty bound to look after this place. I went to Hajj, to offer pilgrimage at Mecca in 2001. During that period one of my two sons has looked after this place. I believe once I am no more, one of them will keep on looking after this abode of Bhanguri Nana,” he said.

During the month of Shravan as per Assamese calendar, Hindu priests come here to offer puja. “I cannot offer puja as I follow Islam. But Hindu priests come here and offer the puja. Lots of devotees also come here during the month of Shravaan (during June and July months). However, on normal months also lots of people come here to offer prayer particularly on Monday,” he said.

The shrine holds reverence for both Hindus and Muslims

“Apart from the Hindus, lots of Muslim people also come here and offer dua (prayers). People including the Hindus and Muslims say that their prayers are often fulfilled once they pray here. I can only tell that the numbers of devotees coming here have only increased,” said Rahman.

“I have been coming here for the last 25 years. I know Rahman and his family for the last several years. They have been keeping this place for generations. I come here often as my prayers have been responded and wishes are fulfilled by Lord Shiva,” said Banti Das, a resident of Guwahati town who often visits the Than.

“We know Rahman and his family for generations. They are the keepers of this Than. It is very ancient Than and according to oral history, it dates back to over 500 years. We heard stories on how Lord Shiva met the first man of this family probably in his dream and tasked the family to keep the place,” said Md. Salen Ali, a resident of Rangmahal village in North Guwahati.