Bikaner (Rajasthan), March 21 – In another significant example of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, the harmonious blend of Hindu-Muslim traditions, Bikaner in Rajasthan showcased peaceful coexistence of two different religious communities on Saturday. While Muslim worshippers offered prayers for Eid-ul-Fitr, Hindu girls performed rituals for 'Gangaur'.
Setting an example for communal harmony, young girls from the Hindu community sang traditional songs on a terrace while performing rituals for the 'Gangaur' festival, while men from the Muslim community offered 'namaz' nearby.
The 'Gangaur' festival, celebrated in various parts of India, particularly Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, is being observed on Saturday, March 21 this year.
The festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. 'Gangaur' is specifically observed by women. Unmarried girls observe 'Gangaur' to seek an ideal life partner, while married women pray for the long life, prosperity, and well-being of their husbands.
Meanwhile, Eid-ul-Fitr, which signifies the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is also being observed by Muslims worldwide, including in India, on Saturday.
The city witnessed a peaceful observance of traditions and norms followed by both the Hindu and Muslim communities.
According to historian Ravi Bhatt, the nawabs of Awadh played a key role in shaping Ganga-Jamuni 'tehzeeb', the shared Hindu-Muslim cultural tradition that continues to define the city of Lucknow.
During an event held in Delhi last year, Bhatt said that with political authority shifting from Delhi, the nawabs focused on building institutions that supported art, literature, and social practices across communities. He further mentioned that their courts encouraged interaction between different traditions, which gradually shaped a common cultural space.
Earlier, the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb was also in focus during Dev Deepawali celebrations in Varanasi last year. Muslim women participated in preparing one lakh lamps from cow dung, which were lit on the ghats of Varanasi during Dev Deepawali.