Source: National Network
AHMEDABAD, INDIA, January 5, 2003: Over 50 Muslim artisans from Kapadwanj are camping at Trimandir on Ahmedabad-Mehsana Highway near Adalaj. Their task is to make domes for the temple. They’re not the only ones. About 20 Muslim artisans from Kolkata are also at work in a timber godown at Pethapur near Gandhinagar, making pillars and doors for the temple. The Trimandir, which is being constructed by Bhagwan Dada Panth, has murthis of Sri Mandhar Swami, Siva and Krishna. Chandbhai Sattarbhai, a worker from Kapadwanj says, “We make a living out of building domes for temples. The fact that thousands of devotees will come here and offer prayers eggs us on to do our best. When I am on the job, I’m an artisan and not a Muslim. I respect the religion I’m working for. I make it a point to remove my slippers when I climb the roof to work on the dome. We have been working in bare feet even when temperatures rise to 40 degrees (celsius).” Kalu Mehboobbhai, also from Kapadwanj says, “We’ve been working here for five months and are staying on the temple premises. We make it a point not to cook non-vegetarian food here. I am not bothered about who’s Hindu and who’s Muslim.”