BEYOND BARRIERS: Muslim and Hindu youths celebrating Rama Navami at Ganeshraopeta in Guntur on Tuesday. — PHOTO: T.VIJAYA KUMAR

GUNTUR : The spectacle of communal harmony was there to behold as scores of Muslim brethren joined their neighbours in the Sri Rama Navami festivities at Ganeshraopeta in the city. Celebrating Navami with all its religious fervour has been a practice for the scores of Muslim families in the area.

The youth decorated the pandal, helped the elders in performing the celestial wedding of Sri Rama and Sita Devi and distributed `prasadam' to the families. The practice of Muslim youth taking part in Rama Navami festivities began many years ago, says local corporator P. Venkat. "The onset of nine-day Sri Rama Navami festivities triggers a flurry of activities in the neighbourhood. All families, irrespective of their creed and community, keenly participate in it," he says.

Activities

"We formed groups and collected donations. We built this pandal with the money and in the evening, we organise fun games for the children," says Sk. Vali, a tailor by profession.

The town seems to have a history of celebrating religious festivals in true pan-Indian style.

A merchant Sk. Ismael started the noble practice of performing the wedding of Lord Rama and Sita by erecting a pandal on the Brodipet 4th Lane many years ago. Though he died in 2002, a committee of businessmen, advocates and industrialists was continuing the practice.

A film distribution company, Sri Venkatswara Films, continued the tradition of screening classical and mythological films on a 16 mm screen inside this pandal.

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