Bhai Bhai in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

Another temple at Srirangam is dedicated to Thuluka Nachiar or Turkish Goddess. The deity is actually a Muslim princess who had fallen in love with the image. She is believed to have 'disappeared' into the sanctum sanctorum. She is worshipped here as Vishnu's consort, and the ceremonial naivedya or offering, is of bread and butter.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-06-25/edit-page/27318111_1_hindu-temple-muslim-shrine

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Annamacharya Bhavana Vahini Foundation...
Shobha Raju started the Annamacharya Bhavana Vahini foundation in 1983. The then A.P.Government gave 2 acres on a long-term lease near the Hi-Tec city on the outskirts of Hyderabad.She and her husband Nandakumar put in all their resources into developing, what is now called Annamayya Nagar. They built Annamacharya Sadanam, a large hall with Lord Venkateswara and his consorts installed in it. In this hall, Sobha Raju and her disciples sing the keerthanas twice a week.She conducts classes to about 60 students every year. All the money earned through these courses is used to develop the facilities at Annmayya Puram.

In February 2004, Sobha Raju organized a special Swarasiddhi Kalyana Utsavam, attended by 5000 devotees, installed his statue at the entrance to Annamayyapuram and rendered the Kalyana Keerthanas of Annamayya. The function was attended by muslims also in honour of Bibi Nancharamma, the Lord's consort. On 18 March 2004, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs have released the Annamacharya stamp, on the occasion of his 500th Anniversary of Samagana Utsavas at Annamayyapuram.

http://www.kutcheribuzz.com/news/20040514/annamacharya.asp

Bibi Nancharamma's Love Story
Devotees believe that Bibi Nanchari is reincarnation of Bhudevi (Mother Earth). You can find a temple devoted to her in one of the avenues of India's largest temple in Srirangam (Tiruchirapally), comprising of 7 avenues in 156 acres. Srirangam temple is rich in wealth and architecture. Its beauty is described in Silappadikaram, a Tamil epic, in third century. This temple was robbed by several muslim kings, several times. According to the history of Tirumala temple, the main idol of lord Ranganatha was kept here for safe custody. The main deity Ranganatha can be seen in the temple with Sridevi and Bhudevi on both sides. For devotees it is a feast to the eyes, to see the beauty of the deities decorated with precious ornaments.



Devotees though they worship Bibi Nancharamma, little they knew about her and her love story which culminated in the marriage of Nanchari with Sriranga. The story goes like this. After robbing the temple, Sultan gave the idol of Ranganatha to his daughter, as a toy to play with. Sultan's daughter soon after seeing the idol fell in love with its beauty and always kept it at her side. Upon pleading by priests, Sultan gave back the idol to the temple, while his daughter was asleep. As Sultan's daughter could not live with out seeing Sriranganatha, she went to Srirangam, had darshan of the lord and merged into him. In the temple constructed in her memory, roti, butter and dal are offered to the lord and his consort as offerings which are liked by Tulukka Nachiar (Bibi). Vaikuntha Ekadasi is celebrated as the chief festival at this temple for 20 days.

https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=lt&fromgroups=#!msg/telugublog/H7JscikA20o/I7L3dHSncOEJ

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in other words the muslim wife of Lord Venkateshwara and Lord Ranganatha are believed to be the same person.

there is an interesting Murugan temple in Palani where muslims go to pray:

For this reason, the presiding deity at Palani attracts people from all over the world. Even the orthodox Muslims make regular visits to the Palani temple and worship the Lord. For them, the Lord is known as Palani Bādshah. Palani āntavar lights the spiritual path by which the pilgrims walk through in search of their spiritual goal to attain self realisation.

http://palani.org/saravanan.htm#.UKzgUY7DPpQ

The famous dargah at Chettinad in Madras state is another shrine endowed with gifts from the Hindu rajahs of Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram. Bava Fakhruddin Auliya was a Muslim fakir from Arabia and during his wanderings came to south India. Near the Vaishnava shrine of Tirukoshtiyur, he came across some Brahmin girls, who were hesitating to pass through a dense forest en route the shrine. The saint escorted them through the forest and through his miraculous powers is said to have blinded a gang of dacoits, who tried to molest the party. Further, the saint is said to have created a tank with his divine powers to enable the Brahmin girls to quench their thirst. His tomb, known as Kattu Bava Dargah, is sacred to both Hindus and Muslims.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020324/spectrum/main4.htm

Revisionist history is all well and good to generate some communal harmony but the truth is the oppression of local populations, subjugation and plain robbery of temple idols and jewels by muslim marauders. The "diplomacy" of the locals to appease the conquerors and marauders resulted in several gestures including stories around muslim princess and special status for "thulukka naachhiyaar".

Another great shrine, famous in south India, is the temple dedicated to Thuluka Nachiar or Turkish Goddess in the temple of Srirangam. The deity is actually a Muslim princess, whose father had taken away the Vishnu image from a Hindu shrine. The princess had fallen in love with the image and when the Hindu priests guided by a supernatural dream came to take away the idol, she refused to part with it. Finally, ordered by her father to give away the image, the heartbroken girl followed the deity to the temple of Srirangam. There she ‘disappeared’ into the sanctum sanctorum, as happened in the case of Meerabai in North India. In honour of her great devotion to God Vishnu, she is worshipped as his consort in the historic temple of Srirangam, and strangely enough, the ceremonial Naivdya everyday at her shrine is ‘bread and butter’ normally taboo in orthodox Hindu temples.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020324/spectrum/main4.htm

Indeed the famous mosque at Nagore, (near Nagapattinam in South India) the tomb of Miran Sahib, which has its own tank like in a Hindu temple, is visited by thousands of Hindu pilgrims who come to fulfil their vows to the Saint, who is credited with miraculous powers. Similarly at the great Hindu temple of Palni near Kerala border, together with the millions of Hindu pilgrims, we can see many Muslims who come to pay obeisance to the deity, whom they refer to as Palani Andavar, or the God of Palni. The fact that the deity is Lord Subrahmanya of the Hindu pantheon, makes the shrine no less sacred to the Muslim pilgrims, who customarily offer joss sticks as their gifts to the shrines.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020324/spectrum/main4.htm

Moving to Kerala:

To the millions who trek to the famous Ayyappa temple in the Sabari hills in central Kerala every year, the shrine of Vavuruswami (a Muslim saint) on way to the temple is a sacred landmark. The dargah is worshipped by pilgrims who climb the hills singing hymns in praise of Lord Ayyappa and the Muslim saint. Vavuruswami is considered to be one of the trusted followers of God Ayyappa. It is the prerogative of the Muslim custodians of the shrine to await the pilgrims and guide them to the hill temple above during the pilgrim season.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020324/spectrum/main4.htm

moving to Karnataka and Maharashtra:

The Baba Budan Hills in Karnataka State is a pilgrimage centre sacred to Hindus and Muslims alike and is known to the pious as Peta. Muslims revere the shrine as the tomb of a saint, while Hindus associate it with Lord Dattarreya. The sacred place is managed by a Muslim. But at the famous Haji Malang shrine of the Muslims near Mumbai, the shrine on the hill is managed by Hindus, the descendants of the early disciples of Saint Malang. This dargah, sacred to millions in Maharashtra, is under Hindu management although Muslim maulvis assist in its upkeep. At the well known Sai Baba shrine at Shirdi, one positively invites angry stares if the pilgrims are referred to as Hindus or Muslims. For, the great saint, to quote the disciples, "lived in a dilapidated mosque in the village. He uttered the words Allah Malik (God is Lord) as fervently as he sang bhajans". Under his great influence the village people agreed to celebrate the Muslim fair and Ramanavami festival on the same day. When his disciples collected money to repair the old mosque in which he lived, the saint refused to permit the renovation till all the temples in the area were repaired first. A sacred fire kindled by the saint (who passed away in 1918) at the mosque is still kept burning and the ceremonies on Thursday nights include a colourful palanquin procession of the saint’s picture from the village temple to the local mosque.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020324/spectrum/main4.htm

moving to Uttar Pradesh

Rampur (Uttar Pradesh), July 19 (IANS) A temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva in a village here counts many Muslims among its devotees. Not only do they take part in some rituals but also donate for community feasts during every festival.

The Pataleshwar temple is in Bambhrauaa village of Rampur district, some 270 km from state capital Lucknow. Muslims constitute almost 95 percent of the 3,500 residents of the village.

Built on land donated by Raza Ali Khan, the ruler of Rampur in the days of the British Raj, both Hindus and Muslims helped construct the temple.

“We feel proud and privileged to have a temple that spreads the message of communal harmony and brotherhood,” Habeeb Ahmad, 60, a farmers’ leader and resident of the village, told IANS.

Muslims take part in the ‘arti’, a sacred ritual, at the temple. They also queue up with their Hindu brethren for the consecrated ‘prasad’ or holy offering.

“This temple truly reflects the Ganga-Yamuna tehzeeb (etiquette) in today’s time in real sense,” said Guddu Khan, who runs a medical store in the Panwariya area of the village.

The temple houses a four-foot idol of Lord Shiva and a Shivling icon. Every morning, under the guidance of a group of priests, Muslims and Hindus clean the temple together. Only then are the daily offerings of milk, curd and honey made, the residents said.

On nearly every Hindu religious festival, Muslims raise funds to organise ‘bhandaras’ (feasts) for the poor.

“Muslims voluntarily contribute for bhandaras. While some donate cash, others prefer to provide grains, fruits and vegetables,” said Raees Ahmad, another village resident.

The community feast organised just in front of the temple is not only attended by local people, but people from nearby villages also converge irrespective of their religion, and eat together, he added.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/a-hindu-temple-where-muslims-also-pray_100220052.html

back to andhra pradesh:

Kasapuram in Gooty Taluk of Anantapur district is known for the temple of 'Nettekanti' Anjaneya Swami. Pilgrims from several parts of Anantapur, Kurnool and Bellary districts congregate here in large numbers, especially on Saturdays. In view of its sanctity, marriages and tonsure ceremonies are also performed here.

The temple is richly endowed with landed property. Local tradition associates the installation of the deity with 'Sri Vyasaraya Swami' of Seshahalli in Mysore . It is of interest to note that even Muslims of Guntakal town make offerings to this deity. A huge procession is taken out once a year on the day next to Ugadi.

http://www.indiainfoweb.com/andhra-pradesh/temples/anjaneya-swamy-temple.html

andhra pradesh again:

Muslims celebrate Ugadi at Kadapa temple
P Neelima, TNN Mar 17, 2010, 02.57am IST


Tags:
hyderabad
KADAPA: It was a perfect picture of religious harmony on Telugu New Year day. Thousands of Muslim devotees thronged the temple of Devunikadapa on the outskirts of Kadapa town on Tuesday to celebrate Ugadi with fervour.

Several burqa-clad women and men wearing 'namaz ki topi' (skull cap) with children in tow waited in long queues to offer prayers to the deity of Lord Venkateswara at the temple. They believe the entire year would be prosperous if they worship the god at Devunikadapa. Scores of Muslims from nearby Chittoor and Anantapur districts also flocked to the temple to offer prayers.

Mehrunnisa of Rayachoti in Kadapa district said her family has been praying at the temple for the past 30 years.

"Whether it is Allah or Balaji, there is only one supreme power. We strongly believe peace and prosperity will prevail by offering prayers at Devunikadapa temple," she said.

Located 120 km from Tirupati, the temple became famous as it is considered the gateway to the famed Tirumala temple. The word Kadapa was derived from 'Gadapa' which means threshold.

"The devout visit this temple before setting out on Tirumala pilgrimage or worship the Lord during their return journey from Tirumala," Tirupati Rao, a historian, said.

Amir Saheb, an octogenarian from Proddatur, said the 500-year-old temple was constructed during the period of Vijayanagara dynasty.

"Pattu vastrams (silk clothes) were used to be gifted to the presiding deity of Sri Laxmi Venkateswara Swamy on Ugadi," he recalled. Saheb, a regular to the temple, however, complained that the age-old traditions were given a go-by by the archakas now.

Temple priest Srinivasacharyulu told TOI that the tradition of Muslims offering prayers dates back to 300 years. They offer coconuts, jaggery, pulses and ghee to the Lord in huge quantities on this occasion, he said.

The legend has it that Lord Balaji married a Muslim woman Bibi Nancharamma, who was the daughter of a general, Malik Kafur, in 1311 AD, after he was immensely pleased by her devotion. "She was known as 'Thulukka Nachchiyar.' Her idol has a pride of place in Tirumala temple precincts," the priest said.

Mohd Khaleel from Penukonda in Anantapur said he has immense faith in Devunikadapa Lord.

"We offer prayers at Pedda dargah in Kapapa town and later come here to worship Lord Balaji," he said.

Meanwhile, several Muslims also thronged Tirumala shrine to offer prayers on Ugadi day.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-17/hyderabad/28116165_1_tirumala-temple-offer-prayers-lord-venkateswara

atcg wrote:Revisionist history is all well and good to generate some communal harmony but the truth is the oppression of local populations, subjugation and plain robbery of temple idols and jewels by muslim marauders. The "diplomacy" of the locals to appease the conquerors and marauders resulted in several gestures including stories around muslim princess and special status for "thulukka naachhiyaar".

yes this sort of thing always seems very contrived. what is way more interesting to me is the impact of tamil literature firmly based in the bhakti movement, specifically the kambarAmayaNam, on islamic literature in tamil, inspiring as early as the 17th century, a whole epic about the prophet mohammed, and written in the same meter and style of the kambarAmayaNam -- umaruppulavar's sIrAppurANam.

the late chief justice of the madras high court, m.m.ismail a very erudite man, was a scholar of both the kambarAmayaNam and the sIrAppurANam. i have heard him speak about this connection on several occasions. he has also written what is probably the best commentary i've read of the kambarAmAyaNam. unfortunately it is out of print now.

for those able to read tamil and have an interest in tamil literature, the sIrAppurANam text with commentary can be found here:

http://www.tamilvu.org/library/l4410/html/l4410con.htm

Rashmun wrote:Another temple at Srirangam is dedicated to Thuluka Nachiar or Turkish Goddess. The deity is actually a Muslim princess who had fallen in love with the image. She is believed to have 'disappeared' into the sanctum sanctorum. She is worshipped here as Vishnu's consort, and the ceremonial naivedya or offering, is of bread and butter.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-06-25/edit-page/27318111_1_hindu-temple-muslim-shrine

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Post these on muslim sites and tell them to love hindus - who are after all their ancestors.

At least it will be a change from your OCD and a cure for your Mogulitis.