This story is from October 17, 2020

Dargah in Bhavnagar temple unites devotees for 700 years

A living example of communal harmony and brotherhood lies in a small temple in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district. Welcome to the temple of Goddess Sikotar which houses the dargah of a Muslim peer in Ayavej village of Jesar taluka where the two faiths is believed to have co-existed for nearly seven centuries now.
Dargah in Bhavnagar temple unites devotees for 700 years
By: Dilip Jiruka
RAJKOT: A living example of communal harmony and brotherhood lies in a small temple in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district. Welcome to the temple of Goddess Sikotar which houses the dargah of a Muslim peer in Ayavej village of Jesar taluka where the two faiths is believed to have co-existed for nearly seven centuries now.
Nestled amid the Shetrunji hills in three directions and by the Shetrunji dam brimming with fresh water from the recent heavy rains on one side, this centre of faith serves devotees dual purpose — of piety and pleasure.
While the centre primarily has remained a point of attraction for the devouts of both faiths down the ages, for the past twoodd years or so, excessive rainfall has also turned the pilgrimage site into a picnic spot.
While the pandemic-induced lockdown forced most of the recreational spots as well as temples and other devotional places to remain closed for people, this place found many takers owing to its isolated location in the backside of Palitana as well as for its peaceful ambiance.
According to temple trust, 2,500 people have visited this place daily this year, while two years ago, it counted around 1,000 footfalls only.
About the quaint harmony that has been the guiding principle in this premises, legend has it that when Sikotar Mata was fighting her enemies, Patha Peer Saheb had gone to help her, appointing himself as her protector.
Keeping the folklore alive through the centuries, devotees even today first make offerings at the dargah before visiting the Sikotar mata temple.

“About 700 years ago, when Mataji came to this village from Sindh, now in Pakistan, she had brought along with her Peer Saheb,” explains Bharatdas Bapu, the temple’s priest, adding that it was the goddess’s explicit wish when the temple was being made that devotees first make offerings to Peer Saheb before they came to pay their obeisance to her.
“Whenever we have to make the offerings as part of our religious vows, we have to first offer them at the dargah, and then only the offerings are placed at the feet of Mataji,” explains Atul Pandya.
Echoing the same sentiments, Bashir Jhakhra adds, “Even Muslim devotees visiting the dargah inside the temple premises, complete their rituals by making offerings to the mataji. Here faith binds us all with the same thread of amity and kinship.”
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