Rishikesh

A centre of syncretic worship A tradition:Shivaraya Swami of Madyal participating in the rituals at the tomb of Sultan Ahmed Shah Ali Behmani during the fair at Ashtur in Bidar on Wednesday. Bidar: The annual ‘urs' and jatra of Sultan Ahmed Shah Ali Behmani, the medieval ruler of Bidar, is being celebrated at Ashtur this week. Ashtur, a village on the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border, is a centre of syncretic worship. The urs of Ahmed Shah has some unique rituals in which members of both Hindu and Muslim communities participate. Ahmed Shah, called Wali or saint by his subjects, was known for promoting arts, music and literature. Medieval historians such as Farishta say he was a benevolent king. The Hindus believe he was an incarnation of Lord Mallikarjuna. The urs is held according to the lunar calendar and is usually celebrated in the last week of March or first week of April. This year, the urs began with village people washing the tomb with rose water and reading verses from the...

The Hindu Tuesday, Oct 05, 2010 Where the spirit of a tolerant king brings all faiths together Rishikesh Bahadur Desai Promoting amity:A file photo of Shivacharya Swamiji of Madyal in Gulbarga at Ahmed Shah Ali Wali's tomb in Ashtur in Bidar. Bidar: Ashtur, a village near Bidar, is a place of syncretic worship, a tradition that is widespread in north Karnataka. The tomb of the Bahmani King Ahmed Shah Ali Wali is a place of worship visited by Hindus and Muslims, and a centre of communal harmony. While the Muslims pay respects to the saintly ruler, the Hindus find it the abode of Allama Prabhu, the 12th century saint-poet. There are two annual celebrations — the birth anniversary in March-April, a week after Holi, and the death anniversary in October-November after Dasara. Hindus and Muslims participate in both the events. Sri Shivacharya Swamy of Madyal in Aland taluk in Gulbarga walks 80 km to reach Ashtur. He is joined by around 500 devotees. He arrives at the Mutavalli's hou...