Mulgund, Karnataka: Hindus celebrate Muharram in a village with not a single Muslim resident

Mulgund (Karnataka) – Although not a single Muslim lives in Basapur village, Hindus have been celebrating the Shia Muslim festival of Muharram there for hundreds of years. As Muharram approaches, every house in the village is cleaned. Donations are collected from the villagers to celebrate the festival. A ‘Panja’ (Alai Dev) is installed in the village and worshipped for five consecutive days. On the final day of Muharram, a procession of the Panja is taken out before it is immersed.

Editorial Perspective

This is perhaps the greatest example of how pitiable the religious condition of Hindus has become due to the lack of religious education. Hindu organisations and religious institutions should immediately educate such Hindus and guide them out of this practice.