Kasaragod (Kerala), February 28 A centuries-old Hindu shrine in this northernmost district of Kerala has hosted a community Iftar for members of the Muslim community, as a gesture of religious harmony.
The Sree Poobanam Kuzhi Temple in Thachangad hosted the Iftar in its courtyard on Thursday as part of the "Brahmakalashotsavam" festival, which marked the re-dedication of the temple deities.
Images on social media platforms and TV channels showed a large number of Muslim men, wearing traditional white caps, sitting at neatly arranged tables in the decorated temple courtyard and enjoying their Iftar.
They broke their fast with dates and other delicacies.
Temple sources said the Iftar was organized because local Muslim residents could not participate in the recent "annadanam" (community feast) organized by the temple management due to the ongoing Ramadan fast.
"This shrine and the festivals here are a part of our lives and childhood. We used to gather at its premises every day after school during our childhood. So any festivities here are not at all new or strange to us," a Muslim man told the media after participating in the Iftar.
The Iftar was organized under the auspices of the Poobanam UAE Committee, comprising local expatriates.