Aloda (Gujarat), Nov. 5 : Hindus in a Gujarat village have renovated a shrine dedicated to Sufi saint Sayyed Badru Rehmat-ulla Alai, popularly known as Fakir Baba here.

Around 5,000 villagers including Hindus and Muslims from neighbouring villages converged here on Monday for the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Dargah dedicated to the Sufi saint in Aloda, a small hamlet in Gujarat’s Mehsana district.

The function was organized on Lab Pancham, fifth day of Gujarati New Year that fell on Oct. 29 this year.

The hamlet comprises only Hindu families. But showcasing a special gesture of brotherhood and unity, these residents with the support of Muslims from neighbouring areas raised money for the renovation of the Dargah here.

It cost 1.4 million rupees for renovation.

The Muslims from the neighbouring village were happy to have performed the inaugural rituals at the shrine.

"We are trying to present an example of communal harmony. We have all seen violence in recent times, and this Dargah is an example of Hindu-Muslim unity. There is no Muslim in our village, still we have put up this Dargah. We have same respect and devotion towards this Dargah as Muslims," said Rampratap, another villager.

Hindus were cheerful to have come together for a special cause, which strengthened Hindu-Muslim brotherhood here.

"The Dargah had worn off, the side wall crumbled in rain. So we had a new wall raised. All of us in the village, irrespective of the caste, wanted to get the Dargah renovated. We spent 14 lakhs on this. Also the Muslims from the neighbouring village helped us," said Ramesh, a devotee.

"Even when the communal riots broke out in Gujarat, no violence was reported in our village. Nor would it ever happen. Ram and Rahim will stay together here. And we love our Muslim brothers," said Prashant, another devotee. (ANI)