Where Hindus and Muslims offer prayers under same roof

ALWAR: Rajasthan's Alwar district has a unique example of centuries old coexistence between Hinduism and Islam-the integrated shrine of Sayyed Darbar and Sankat Mochan Vir Hanuman Mandir atop the Moti Doongri Hill. The site has become even more important in the light of the communal tension over Pehlu Khan's murder by cow vigilantes.

The two religious structures don't even have a wall separating them, and, on Thursdays, as soon as the bhajan ends, the same microphone and loudspeaker, along with dholak, harmonium, are used for qawwalis praising Allah. The compound even has saffron and green flags fluttering together.One can also see a 30-m tricolour installed in front of the hill.

Devotees visiting the site say that the smoke from mahaaarti (of camphor and wicks soaked in ghee) when mixed with roshni-kirasm (burning of loban at the dargah) creates fragrance that has no parallel. Devotees generally enter the compound from the temple's gate, pray and offer their forehead for tika. They then proceed towards Dargah, cover their heads and bend down to kiss the grave.Offerings at both places come from a common puja ki thali.

Ushma Agrawal, who is a regular devotee here, said she came across the site a decade back, soon after her marriage. "Initially, I thought my in-laws would be taking me to two different places but I was shocked to see that the two places exist in complete harmony," said Agrawal. Mahant Nawal Baba, 51, the chief caretaker of both places, has a serious objection for those who express surprise at the peaceful coexistence. "Both the places show the same path and are equally revered. What's the problem," asked Das, who has been performing early morning aarti, and cleaning the compound with the same broom and cloth for years.