Message of tolerance & co-existence: Muslim family that has been worshipping Shivling

Vijayanagar: At a time when communal tensions continue to be high in various parts of the state, social media is abuzz with videos of a Muslim family worshipping a Shivling. Several netizens praised the message of tolerance and co-existence propagated by the family of Rasool Hadagali from Kelageri of Kottur town here by their actions that transcend boundaries of religion.

The family of Rasool Hadagali has been worshipping Shivling for 16 years at the Maha Shivratri festival. Rasool’s sister’s family members, in-laws, and relatives come to his house for celebrations and special worship. They also do not cook non-vegetarian food on the festival day, IANS reported.

He kept Shivling at home and his family started worshiping Shivling during Maha Shivratri festivals. They were advised by the Hindu neighbors and friends on rituals and worship. Now, the family performs all rituals and follows the tradition of worshipping Shivling without any flaw. After the Shivratri festival, the Shivling is carefully kept in the almirah.

The family brings 11 kinds of flowers from nearby hills for the worship of Shivling. The special worship is conducted from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the festival. The family also performs ‘jagran’ (ceremony of waking up throughout the night), IANS report said.

Rasool, who works as the Principal of Morarji Desai Residential School in Kandagal taluk, got the Shivling from his father Late Kareem Saab. His father worked as a driver in a local municipality and also did sculpting. He has sculpted Shivling and could not complete the embellishing work.

Rasool Hadagali explains that his father made the Shivling for giving it to someone. “We kept it safe and continued to worship Shivling for 16 years during Maha Shivratri,” he says.

The family members say that they get peace of mind by worshipping the Shivling. This is the gift of harmony, co-existence that is given by our father Late Kareem saab, they maintain.

(With inputs from IANS)