Lucknow :

From an ancient temple of Lord Jagannath in Chinhat bearing Awadhi Muslim architecture to a Muslim putting up water kiosks during the yatra, tales of religious amity dot the cultural landscape of the city.

Historian Yogesh Praveen, said, “The temple was built by a devotee of Lord Jagannath, but given a facelift by the then-Nawab of Oudh Asaf-ud-Daullah in 1785. The temple’s uniqueness can be spotted on its dome. Instead of the traditional chakra or trishul, there is a crescent.”

In Aishbagh, Rafiq ‘bhai’ for the past decade has been putting up water kiosks at Tikaitganj, the first halt of the yatra by Shri Bhagwan Jagannath Seva Samiti, to help the hundreds of chariot pullers quench their thirst.

“It gives me immense satisfaction that I am able to help hundreds of devotees,” said Rafiq.

Thanking him, office bearer of the Samiti Saket Sharma said, “We hope the practice continues”.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / June 29th, 2014