Boats Used to Build a Temporary Bridge: This Is How the Bridge Symbolises Communal Harmony!

Boats Used to Build a Temporary Bridge: This Is How the Bridge Symbolises Communal Harmony!

January 6: During the past few weeks, the communal harmony in the district has been disrupted due to various reasons in Dakshina Kannada District. Here is an example that shows communal harmony still exits among people of different religions.
The Urs of Rahmania Dargah Masjid Shariff also called Nadupalli, located on a Kudru (island) in River Nethravathi at Adyar-Kannur on NH 75, symbolised communal harmony between different faiths on January 5, Sunday. The Urs has a history of over 400 years. In the past, boats belonging to the people from all faiths were ferrying devotees to the Dargah to attend the Urs. As the number of devotees attending the Urs increased, the building of a temporary bridge using the boats was conceptualised.
The bridge is built by tying the boats together (by their sides) and by placing wooden planks on them. The temporary bridge helps people to cross the river without any problem. The boats that are used for building the temporary bridge belongs to people from all the religions who provide their boats to erect the temporary bridge to connect the island Dargah.

The boats used for sand extraction in River Nethravathi are also used for building the temporary bridge. As the day of Urs nears, the boats are tied to form the temporary bridge. Those who extract sand, stop their activity and extend their help. At least 100 boats are required to build the temporary bridge. After the Urs concludes, all the boats are returned to the respective owners.
A local resident said that the question of religion does not arise while building the temporary bridge. Whatever happens in different parts of the district, people here live in harmony like brothers. People from all faiths take part in the Urs and offer prayers.
Earlier, the Urs was held during daylight only as crossing the river was not safe after the sunset. After the temporary bridge was constructed, the Urs is held till 8 pm.