Thanjavur: Observation of Muharram in the village of Kasavalanadu Pudur is in full swing. This would have been just another news report if it weren't for the participants - all Hindus.
Families take out a procession of what they believe as a form of 'Allah' to observe Muharram - a testimony for religious harmony. As far as the hearsay among the elders in this village, their ancestors have been paying obeisance during this festival with all pomp, and it is in vogue for three centuries.
Residents of this hamlet observe a fast for 10 days ahead of Muharram. The 'Allah Samy' temple will remain illuminated on these days.
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On Thursday evening ahead of Muharram, they took the presiding deity - a figurine of a human palm. Women in the village offer 'panagam' (a drink made of jaggery, lime juice, cardamom, dry ginger and black pepper), rice flakes, coconut and fruit, among others as offering to the deity. This was followed by a 'firewalk' with the deity.
Five Muslim families in the village were invited to the celebrations.
A similar obeisance was paid in the outskirts of Madurai district at Tiruppuvanam village. They, too, held a 'fire-walking' ceremony at the Fatima Nachiyar mosque.
