In an act of communal harmony, the Muslim community in Pandharpur town of Maharashtra's Solapur district decided to not sacrifice goats on the festival of Eid al-Adha, or Bakra Eid, as it is coinciding with Ekadashi this year.
Pandharpur is a temple town in Maharashtra.
The Muslims of Pandharpur said that they have decided to defer the goat sacrifice by a couple of days so as to not do it on Adhik Maas Ekadashi, an occasion which holds deep religious significance for Hindus, reported news agency PTI.
They took the decision as Bakra Eid and Adhik Maas Ekadashi are falling on the same day this year.
"I have been living in Pandharpur and have been associated with various festivities of the temple. To honour the sentiments of devotees of Lord Vitthal, we have decided not to carry out the sacrifice of goats," PTI quoted a member of the Muslim community as saying.
Adhik Maas Ekadashi is celebrated once every three years and on the occasion, lakhs of devotees go to Pandharpur to seek blessings.
Another member of the Muslim community said that they have decided "not to sacrifice goats on that day and will carry it out later".
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He also added that behind the decision is also the thought that the Muslim community in Pandharpur has deep faith in Lord Vitthal.
This is not the first time the Muslims of Pandharpur have taken such a step. The man said that earlier as well, the town's Muslim community had refrained from the act of animal sacrifice on Bakra Eid whenever they faced a similar situation, the report said.
