With Ganesha Chaturthi just a couple of days away, a Muslim man, 14 kilometres from Chamarajnagar district headquarters, Karnataka, is building a Ganesha temple, the Times of India reported.
The 61-year-old named T Rahman is a retired irrigation department official. He is making these arrangements as he was upset about last year's incidents when a Ganesha idol was stolen from the area.
Rahman also had a revelation, he got a sign in his dreams.
"Last year, a few unidentified thieves stole the idol of Lord Ganesha from the Chikkahole project area park. I was upset and felt the strong need to build a temple for the lord. When the same thoughts continued in my dream, i decided to build a new temple," he was quoted by the Times of India as saying.
The residents of the area also see Rahman as the flagbearer of secularism.
It’s a positive trend that we are willing to even build a place of worship for another community. We do not mind even visiting each other’s shrine. This is the true spirit of Indian culture.Chikkahole dam area resident to TOI
However, Rahman's temple will not be able to open before the festival starts. The idol is supposed to be immersed in water for six days and in paddy for another six before being installed in the temple.
The Times of India also tried to enquire about the cost of making the temple. Rahman declined to share the numbers saying, "It’s lord's work."
(With inputs from the Times of India)
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