HARIDWAR, UTTARANCHAL, INDIA, August 1, 2005: The ongoing Kanwaria festival in Gangotri and Haridwar in Uttranchal state showcases communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims at its best. This atmosphere of brotherhood and communal bonhomie is most visible in wooden “Kanwars” (frame or batons used to carry pots containing water), most of which are manufactured by Muslims. The holy water is carried in earthen pots that hang from a decorative wooden frame. Muslims have been making the Kanwars for centuries and people of both communities see this as an ideal way to nurture brotherhood and promote peace. “We really like that our Hindus friends coming here to carry the water in Kanwars made by us. We respect their religious sentiments. We also hold the Ganges in high regard,” said Nijammudin, a Kanwar maker. “We have never regarded them as Hindus or ourselves as Muslims. Both religions are to be respected and that’s how we perceive them as,” added Jamil Ahmed, another Kanwar maker. The Hindus reciprocated the same feelings. “Most Kanwar makers in the region belong to the Muslim community. We have never treated each other indifferently. We take Lord Siva’s name and they do the same. Through this, we are sharing religious sentiments which will help us to respect each others religion and promote the feeling of brotherhood,” said Ram Avtar, a pilgrim. Shravan (the monsoon month of July-August in the Hindu calendar, is believed to be auspicious), and hundreds of thousands of saffron-clad pilgrims are seen thronging both Gangotri and Haridwar. Kanwarias usually arrive barefoot from across the country. Tradition has it that the pot containing the Ganges water must not touch the ground till the time of consecration.
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