COIMBATORE: A village in Coimbatore district is making a silent revolution by celebrating the festival of lights with people belonging to communities, including Muslims.
Tracing the history of this unique celebrations, S Natarajan, chairman, Kinathukadavu panchayat union told Express that Vadachithur’s Mayilandhu Deepavali is significant because it is celebrated as a village festival the day after Deepavali.
This concept was conceived by a farmer Mayilsamy Gounder some hundred years ago when Deepavali and Amavasai fell on the same day. As non-vegetarian items aren’t prepared on the auspicious day, the farmer thought it fit to celebrate it as a village festival, he said. Another reason attributed for celebrating it the day after Deepavali was to enjoy the occasion with their loved ones.
Shakeela Devaraj, chairperson, Vadachithur panchayat told Express that the village has a population of around 7,000. “During the village festival, friends and relatives from nearby villages converge at Vadachithur from early morning to participate at the festival that is an annual feature.”
Ahley Sunnath Val Jamaat Mosque president Fareed Khan said that he had been participating at this village festival since his childhood. There are about 150 Muslim families, who had been living at Vadachithur with perfect understanding with other community people.
