Kolkata: A new temple has been coming up on the banks of the Patuli lake on the southern fringes of Kolkata city in West Bengal. It is a replica of the Dakshineshwar temple. With a message of communal harmony, Muslim craftsman Mohammad Azharuddin is the brain behind the project. The model of the Bhabatarini temple is similar to the Dakshineshwar temple.
When the politics of polarisation is on the rise, a Muslim craftsman is busy giving shape to the temple in the southern part of the Kolkata metropolis. It is another example of harmony and bonhomie among people belonging to different faiths and religions. Azharuddin lives in Duttapukur area of North 24 Parganas. The two temples will exactly look the same, but with a slight difference.
The temple built by Ramnath Mandal in Dakshineshwar in 1855 is about 100 feet high while the height of this temple being built in south Kolkata is only 35 feet. This temple was supposed to be inaugurated on the day of the Bengali New Year, but could not do so as the work on the project was still going on.
However, due to the intense heat, the work has been halted for several days. It will start again after another seven days. Many craftsmen are working under the guidance of Azharuddin, the master architect of the temple. Dakshineswar temple is one of the most sought-after temples with devotees from different parts of the state thronging there.
