Jumbangla Desk: In the Kalibari area of ​​Lalmonirhat city, there are Puran Bazar Jame Masjid and Kalibari Sarvajanin Temple in the same courtyard of the same piece of land. Every day the worshipers are offering prayers in the mosque and the devotees are worshiping in the temple.

Religious harmony prevails in temples and mosques in the same courtyard for ages without any quarrels, arguments, complaints or grievances. Such a scene is hard to believe without seeing it with your own eyes. A temple and a mosque in the same courtyard is a rare example of religious harmony.

The temple has idols of Sri Sri Kali, Devadidev Mahadev, Sri Sri Baba Loknath. Every morning and evening worship is done as per usual. Sri Sri Durga Temple is also located here. Autumn Durga Puja is held in grand atmosphere every year.

The Old Bazar Jame Masjid in the same courtyard is a traditional mosque of the district. Devotees come from far and wide to offer prayers here. This mosque is always crowded with worshipers to perform the five daily prayers.

Locals say that the Kalibari temple is about 200 years old. Marwari traders of that time established this temple and used to worship there. They left the country but the temple remained intact. Later some structural changes were made.

After the partition of the country in 1947, a Jame Masjid was built in this courtyard. It was named Puran Bazar Jame Masjid. Later, with the cooperation of the worshippers, there were major changes in the structure of the mosque. Once the area became a sight to behold.

Local businessman Khorshed Alam Dulal said, 'The mosque and temple in the same courtyard is a unique example of religious harmony. And every day visitors come from far and wide to witness this picture of harmony. Many times visitors ask the locals for details about these traditional mosques and temples.'

He also said, 'For ages Muslims and Hindus have been practicing their respective religious practices in the same courtyard. But, there was never any kind of problem or rivalry. We people of both religions live here smiling, practicing religion.'

Govind Chandra Saha, another local businessman, said that mosques and temples are in the same courtyard and religious rituals are being performed simultaneously for ages. But, the people of the Hindu community never faced any obstacle to worship. When large religious festivals are organized in the temple, the Muslim community here spontaneously cooperates.

He said, "Even if there is dissatisfaction with some kind of religious harmony in the country and abroad, it has not had an impact here."

Manorama Rani Das (55), a visiting college teacher from Rangpur, said, 'Long ago I heard that there is a temple and a mosque in the same courtyard. But, it was not time to come to see. Now I have time so I came to see. It feels so good, I'm impressed. If such a scenario existed all over the world, there would be no communal conflict over religion. Peace and only peace to prevail.'

Another visitor from Gaibandha is NGO worker Khandaker Azahar Ali (50). He said, 'Everyone should come here to see what religious harmony is, what religious harmony is and how it should be.'

Talk to the muezzin of the mosque. From his long experience, he said, 'There is no problem during Azan and Namaz in the mosque. During this time, they refrained from playing any kind of musical instrument even though worship was performed in the temple. I always talk to the temple priest, discuss religious practices.'

Sanjay Kumar Chakraborty, the priest of the temple said, 'Pujacharana is held regularly in the temple. The use of musical instruments is prohibited during Azan and Namaz. I have never been in a situation where religious harmony was disturbed. Rather, I have been getting the support of local worshippers.'

He said, 'Religious harmony here was, is and will be in the future. Never has this harmony been stained and never will be. Even if religious violence breaks out all over the world, religious harmony here will remain intact. This is our belief.'

Rakib Haider, Deputy Commissioner of Lalmonirhat said, mosque and temple in the same courtyard, this is a rare instance. People here believe in coexistence of people of all religions. The proof of which is the central Kalibari temple and Puran Bazar Jame Masjid in one courtyard.