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Keeping the faith

A Muslim priest Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh mans the historic Maharani temple after the onset of militancy in Gulmarg.

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GULMARG: Inside the sanctum sanctorum of the historic Maharani temple here, a diminutive-looking priest recites holy verses loudly. At first glance, he looks like any other Hindu priest, but in reality he is a devout Muslim. Thirty-year old Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh is the caretaker and priest of the 91-year old temple, which houses a Shiv Lingam and idol of Goddess Parvati.

He has been the priest of this Hindu temple for the last 14 years. Interestingly, he is well-versed in both the Gita and the Quran. He offers Namaaz regularly and also performs aarti at the temple

“When everyone left the valley, I was the only person who took care of this temple. Since then I am performing pujas regularly at this temple. And my antecedents have never been questioned. People respect me more when I tell them that I am Muslim,” said Sheikh.  The Maharani temple also known as Mohineshwari Shivalalaya was built by Mohini Bai Sisodhia, the wife of erstwhile ruler of Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh, in 1915. The temple had a regular priest until the onset of militancy in the area. After the migration of the pandits, Sheikh’s uncle became its priest and caretaker. Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh took over 14 years ago. Since then, he has donned the mantle of priest of this historic temple. “The temple remains open everyday from 6am to 9pm. Aarti is performed twice a day for devotees, mostly the tourists. After performing aarti, I offer namaaz,” said Sheikh.

The custodians of the Maharani temple are paying him a paltry sum of Rs 1600 monthly to sustain his family. “I have no other income. But the devotees who come to know about my religion sometimes offer some money as a token of gratitude,” he said.

Sheikh however, rues that the government has not done anything for him despite the fact he has kept the flame of secularism alive in tough times. “My residential quarter suffered damages during the October 8 quake. But not a single penny came my way. The pseudo secularists are being felicitated and I’m not even been recognised,” he lamented.

Hindu devotees are grateful to him for setting a precedent of Hindu-Muslim unity.

“All religions preach brotherhood. God is one and he does not discriminate. It makes no difference for us who leads our prayers”, said Asha Sadhu Dimri of Pune.Sheikh has  also brought another Muslim relative to serve the temple. “We consider it our duty to serve the people no matter which religion caste or creed you belong to,” said Manzoor Ahmad, a gardener at the temple.

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