JOGI BABA Shiv Mandir

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"JOGI BABA" SHIV MANDIR

Om namah shivaya

KOLKATA: Communal harmony is the essence of Murshidabad’s Bhattabati village. The ancient 300-year-old terracotta Shiv Mandir is the place where all religious boundaries fade away. The temple of Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as Baba Ratneswar, is being looked after by the Muslims of this village, who not only perform the daily tasks but also look after its upkeep.
Meet Azarul Sheikh and Sadek Sheik, who work in tandem with Ananta Hajra and Asim Das in seeking donations for the Shiv temple for different festivals and its restoration work. Religion for these men is not a barrier at all.

The distance of Bhattabati village is just 5 kms from Lalbag Sadar Ghat. When leaflets for donations are printed, names of Noor Selim, Azarul, Sadek find place alongside Ananta Hajra and other Hindu devotees.
It was in the year 1494 when Sultan Alauddin Hussain Shah became the ruler of Bengal. During his time atleast 1200 Brahmin families came to settle in Bengal from Karnataka. It’s not known who exactly built this temple. But it’s assumed any family member of Second Kanungo Jaynarayan built this Shiv temple.
The present condition of the temple is not good. The exclusive terracotta craftsmanship has whithered away with time.

The original Shiv Linga which measured about five feet in height was once stolen. Later it was recovered by police of Nabagram. Citing security reasons that Shiv Linga is now in police custody.
Accounts keeper of Mandir Committee, Ananta Hajra said, "We are very poor people. Most of the Hindu families have left the village. Without the help and assistance of Muslim brothers of this area it wouldn’t have been possible to continue puja and other works of the temple.’
Abdul Sheikh said religion has never posed any threat to the harmony they share in this village. They have not learnt to make any difference.
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Most of the Indian muslims forefathers were converts from Hinduism.

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THIS STORY IS FROM OCTOBER 23, 2018
CITY
Times Pujo Barir Sera Pujo verdict out
TNN | Oct 23, 2018, 12:17 IST

TNN
The goddess in all her brilliance at Sunny Bliss Apartment
KOLKATA : If success can be measured, the best time to do so is during the festivities. Continuing with its series of events, The Times of India awarded apartment pujas in the city as part of a unique contest titled Pujo Barir Shera Pujo 2018.
The verdict was unanimous. Based on a number of parameters, the judges chose the winning apartments from among 250 residents’ welfare apartments (RWAs) in the final round on Ashtami. The run-up to the final few included two earlier rounds of judging by Government Art College students.
winner

Judges assemble prior to their tour of city apartments

In Category I (RWAs with more than 100 flats), Uniworld City walked away with the first prize, followed by Diamond City South as the runner-up. The Special Jury Awards in this category went to Urbana, Upohar, Airport City Residents, Balaka Abasan Puja Committee and Bidhannagar Sourav Co-operative Housing Society.
In Category II, (RWAs with less than 100 flats), Sunny Bliss Apartment emerged as the winner with Tridev Garden as the runner-up.
The Special Jury Awards went to Monalisa Apartment, Ganapati Park Abasik Durgotsab, Eden Residency, Tollygunger Kirti and Devaloke Fort.

The award for the Best Bonedi Barir Pujo was bagged by Sadhuka Bari while the Magma Fincorp Award for CSR Activities was awarded to Basundhara Flat Owner’s Welfare Association.
The National Insurance Company Award for Safety Measures was bagged by Labony Abashik Samity. This year, Times Pujo Barir Shera Pujo 2018 was presented by Forum, with banking partner SBI; knowledge partner JIS Group; jewellery partner B Sirkar Johuree; CSR partner Magma Fincorp Ltd; electronics partner Khosla Electronics; hospital partner AMRI Hospitals; fitness partner Body Line; salon partner Eye Catchers; gym partner Karma, The Fitness Studio and co-sponsored by Metro Cow M