Hindu-Muslim amity to the fore at this Urus

Kasaragod, Jan 22: The annual Urus at the 12th century Pulingome Makham, a Sunni pilgrim centre here, has religious harmony written all over it. In fact, the festivities are finalised only in consultation with a Hindu family in the area.

In strict adherence to tradition, the Pulingome Juma Masjid Jamaat committee, this year too, invited senior members of the Kamballur Kottayil family to the mosque on January 15 to finalise the festivities for the six-day event scheduled from April 11.

After the conclusion of the evening prayers, the Imam formally announced the schedule in the presence of invited guests from the family on the mosque premises, K.K. Shyam Kumar, a member of the family said.

The function was followed by a mass prayer. The guests and the local people who converged at the mosque were offered refreshments. This time, office-bearers of the nearby Sankara-Narayana-Dharmasatha temple were also invited to the ceremony, Mr. Shyam Kumar said.

Legend

Legend has it that the ancestors of the Kamballur Kottayil family migrated from “Telecherry (Thalassery) Kottayam” in the 12th century and the local dynasty chieftain vested with them control of land holdings in the region.

The family was responsible for maintaining law and order. A group of Muslims approached them, seeking permission to set up a mosque, which was granted. Eventually, permission was also granted to conduct Uroos. For around 300 years, the Urus schedule is being fixed in consultation with the family.

The partition of the family in 1942, upheld by the South Canara Civil Court in Mangaluru, validated three religious institutions falling under it — Kamballur Bhaghavathy Temple, Shankara-Narayana-Dharmasastha Temple at Pulingom, and strangely, the Pulingom Makham.

Later, the mosque came under the administration of the Pulingome Juma Masjid Jamaat committee, which too chose to adhere to the age-old tradition.