Lucknow: As Lord Jagannath’s chariot rolled through the city, Muslim families lined the Rath Yatra routes with water and sherbet stalls, turning simple acts of service into a celebration of communal harmony.Beginning at Akbari Gate, a procession organised by Chowk Sapasad Anurag Mishra traversed Nakkhas, where residents stood along the way serving devotees with chilled water.Among those extending a warm welcome was Umar Rotiwale of Akbari Gate, who continued his family’s more than 50-year tradition of offering soft drinks to pilgrims. “Our locality is largely Muslim, but we’ve always welcomed our Hindu brothers and sisters with open hearts,” he said.As the yatra entered Nakkhas Main Market, the spirit of selfless service found another custodian in Syed Yusuf Ali, who has spent the past 10 years carrying forward a tradition started by his brother.“Lord Jagannath’s yatra carries a message of love. This isn’t just service – it’s our way of living those values,” said Ali, a resident of the area, as he served Rooh Afza.He also shared that his family also organises similar refreshment counters during Holi and Maha Shivratri as an opportunity to earn ‘sawaab’ – divine blessings through selfless service.Another Rath Yatra in Rajajipuram, held under the aegis of Shri Vaishno Devi Sansthan, covered the path from E Block to Tempo Stand and witnessed similar acts of service.Harman Iftekhar of Phool Bagh travelled to the venue with bottles of drinking water, distributing them primarily among women.“We walk in Muharram with devotion too. Respecting another’s faith is how humanity grows,” he said.
