Hindu families keep up dargah rituals in Burhanpur village with no Muslim household

The annual sandal procession was taken out on Thursday night at the dargah of Hazrat Syed Bodalshah Wali Baba in Bodarli village, 25 km from the Burhanpur district headquarters. Not a single Muslim family lives in the village. Even so, Hindu families have for decades looked after the dargah and carried out the rituals of the sandal and the Urs.

On Thursday, Hindu families offered a chadar and flowers at the shrine. Pilgrims came for the event from Burhanpur district and from Maharashtra. The village is said to have been named Bodarli after the saint himself.

Ramesh Patil of the village said he had been coming to the dargah for about 30 years. According to him, people from nearby villages and areas come here for ziyarat. During the Urs, Hindu families perform the rituals and also invite Muslims from the surrounding villages. Patil said the Sandal Sharif was taken out on Thursday night, and Hindus and Muslims from the village and nearby areas both took part.

Ramzan Qureshi of Fofnar village said he visits the dargah from time to time for ziyarat. He described Bodarli as an example of communal harmony.

Sheikh Anwar Madani said that although there is no Muslim family in the village, Hindu families offer a chadar and flowers at the dargah. He said the sandal is also taken out and an atmosphere of brotherhood prevails here.