Pune: The Sakhalipeer Talim Rashtriya Maruti Mandir Mandal located in Nana Peth has set an example of communal harmony as members of various religions came together to celebrate the Ganpati Festival and Bakri-Eid with same fervour on Saturday.
Around 250 people belonging to the Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Sikh, Christian and Buddhist communities gathered to perform 'aarti' to Lord Ganesha and exchanged greetings on the occasion of Bakri-Eid. In a bid to show unity and equality in every religion, they offered 'prasad' (sweet offerings), which are famous in their respective religions, such as 'modak' by Hindus, 'sheerkurma' and dates by Muslims, cakes by Christains, 'batasha' by Jains, to Lord Ganesha.
Deputy Mayor Siddharth Dhende performed aarti to Ganpati.
The mandal has been celebrating these festivals together for the past 30 years. "Whenever any festival of any other religion coincides with a Hindu festival, we all come together to celebrate it. Over the past 30 years, we got many such opportunities to celebrate Eid and Palkhi or Eid and Ganesh Festival together. This area is home to several communities, who come together on every occasion. Our aim is to convey the message of brotherhood, unity, equality, peace and harmony to society," said Mandal President Ravindra Malvadkar.
