Highlights
- A mosque and temple stand side by side in Lalmonirhat for more than 100 years.
- People of both religions celebrate their festivals together peacefully.
- Local committees jointly plan religious events to avoid any conflict.
- The place has become a symbol of communal harmony in Bangladesh.
A Tradition of Peaceful Coexistence
In Lalmonirhat’s Purana Bazar area, a mosque and a temple have been standing side by side for more than a century. Both Muslims and Hindus celebrate their religious events here without any disturbance, making it a rare example of communal harmony in Bangladesh.
Historical Background
According to locals, before the Durga Temple was established in 1895 (1302 Bangla year), a Kali Temple was already built in the area. Because of this, Purana Bazar is still popularly known as “Kalibari.”
Later, in 1900 (1307 Bangla year), a small prayer house was built, which gradually developed into the Purana Bazar Jame Mosque. Since then, both Hindus and Muslims have continued their religious practices peacefully side by side.
১০০ দিনে তৈরি করুন নিজের ডিজিটাল মার্কেটিং ক্যারিয়ার
Voices from the Community
Kalibari Durga Temple priest Shri Shankar Thakur said:
“শত বছরের পুরনো এখানকার ধর্মীয় প্রতিষ্ঠান দুটি। এখানে আমরা নির্বিঘ্নে আমাদের পূজা সহ হিন্দু ধর্মের সকল উৎসবই পালন করি। এতে কারোই কোন অসুবিধা হচ্ছেনা। শান্তিপূর্ণ ও সুন্দর পরিবেশে ধর্মীয় ভাব গাম্ভীর্যের সাথে এখানে উৎসবের আয়োজন করা হয়। দূর দূরান্ত থেকে ভক্তরা এসে এখানে পুজায় অংশ নেয়।”
Translation: These two religious institutions are more than a hundred years old. We perform our puja and all Hindu festivals here without any problem. The festivals are arranged in a peaceful and devotional environment, and devotees come from far away to join the celebrations.
Assistant Imam of Purana Bazar Jame Mosque Md. Shafiqul Islam added:
“মসজিদ ও মন্দির পাশাপাশি হলেও এখানে আমাদের নামাজ কিংবা ইসলাম ধর্মীয় উৎসবে কোন ব্যাঘাত ঘটেনা। বেশ সুশৃংখল ও শান্তিপূর্ণ ভাবেই সব কিছু সম্পন্ন হয়।”
Translation: Even though the mosque and temple stand side by side, our prayers and Islamic festivals are never disturbed. Everything happens in an organized and peaceful way.
Read More: “No Real Political Parties in Bangladesh” – Farhad Mazhar
Joint Celebrations and Cooperation
During Durga Puja, many local Muslims join in the celebrations and even help in organizing. Similarly, during Islamic events like waaz mahfil and funeral prayers, the temple committee shows full cooperation.
Both committees meet together to decide the timing and arrangements of religious events, ensuring that no program clashes. The open space near the mosque and temple is used for both Hindu melas during puja and Islamic gatherings like waaz mahfil or janaza prayers.
A Symbol for Tourists and Locals
This unique tradition of harmony attracts foreign tourists from time to time, though many Bangladeshis are still unaware of this historic place. Locals believe it should be more widely known as a proud example of peaceful coexistence in the country.
Source: DBC News
