Nashik is a place of mythological, historical, and religious importance. It is home to several Jain Temples, Muslim Dargahs, the hallowed grounds of Panchavati from Ramayana, and the Hindu pilgrim destination of Trimbakeshwar Temple. The locals accommodate people of all faiths equally and they are usually a peace-loving group. Nashik celebrates its diversity by allowing free religious practices to all its citizens.
One famous Muslim festival has been celebrated in Nashik for over 300 years. This is the Urs festival. The festival attracts many believers to the Dargah of Sadique Shah Husaini. The believers come in huge throngs to the city of Nashik and honor the dargah by placing chadars. The Dargah Board discourages donations to the dargah; moreover, the board members encourage the believers to donate to causes of social upliftment and betterment of society. Â
Nashik is also famous for the year-round pilgrimage of Hindus to the Trimbakeshwar Temple. Nashik’s Shri Trimbakeshwar Temple is situated 28 kilometers away from the main city. This temple is situated near the Brahmagiri mountain. The river Godavari, also called the Dakshin Ganga, originates from this mountain. The temple was constructed by third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao on the site of an older temple. The Trimbakeshwar Temple houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India and is maintained by Trimbakeshwar Temple Trust.
This temple is a site of religious prayers and practices that have survived for several millennia. It is an important ‘dharmasthala’ for all followers of ‘Sanatana Dharma‘. Â
Attempt of Trespassing on the Trimbakeshwar Temple
On the 13th of May 2023, a mob of Muslim youths tried to trespass on the premises of the Trimbakeshwar Temple at around 9.45 p.m. Their intent was to allegedly place a chadar on the jyotirlinga. These Muslim youths were in Nashik to attend the famous Urs festival. They were timely thwarted by the vigilant security staff and temple authorities.
This attempt of placing a chadar on a jyotirlinga created tensions in the nearby regions. However, the swift action of the administration quickly brought the situation under control. The temple trust has written to the local police authorities demanding severe action on all participants.
Why would the Muslim Mob want to place a Chadar on a Hindu Temple?
Some seculars would say that the youth were trying to place the chadar as a form of respect. They wanted to honor the temple the same way that they honor the dargah. However, think of a reverse situation when a Hindu mob would try to force their way in to do the Tilak or Abhishek in a Dargah. Such a situation would surely lead to riots in the city, and the local Muslim Boards would demand for heads to roll.
Some secular and peace-loving believers would say that the mob was ignorant and immature in their attempts to visit a place of Hindu religious importance. However, Muslim youths are usually misguided and immature in all their attempts of desecrate Hindu places of worship. Contrarily, such secularists would never forgive a Hindu mob for any impertinence in word or deed.
Thus, we may only wonder why it was important for this mob to visit a temple at night. We may only speculate why they would attempt to desecrate a Hindu place of pilgrimage. Moreover, Hindus must silently watch as authorities try to unravel the true cause. Additionally, all voices of dissatisfaction must be swiftly silenced. Currently, no Islamic board will display remorse on the actions of this misguided mob.
Hindu temples are open to people of other faiths and beliefs; however, this inclusivity is conditional. Every individual that visits a Hindu temple must not dishonor the idols, premises, priests, and local believers. In case they want to pray or honor the Hindu Gods, they must do so by strictly adhering to the locals’ form of worshiping the Hindu deity. Places of worship should not be forcefully entered and desecrated with non-conforming practices.