Milestone in Hindu - Muslim Unity.

Important milestone for Sabarimala (Kerala) Pilgrims. (South India - India.)

Pathanamthitta: The sighting of the famed Makarajyoti at Kerala's famous Sabarimala temple will be the much awaited ritual on Wednesday. Lakhs of devotees gather at the hill shrine to pray to Lord Ayyappa, the little town of Erumeli at the foot of the hills.

The festival also becomes an example of Hindu-Muslim harmony, because the first stop of each pilgrim going to Sabarimala is the mosque at Erumeli and there are reasons for doing that.

The Erumeli Petta thullal is not only about victory of good over evil but also re-lives a rare friendship between a Hindu god and a Muslim king.

Hariharan, a pilgrim said, "There are legends that tell that Vavar and Ayyappa were at first big enemies. They had a big fight and later on they became thickest of friends. Ayyappa had then said that all pilgrims who are coming through this long route are suppose to take permission from this shrine."

Erumeli is in itself a shining example of communal harmony. On one side of the road is the mosque dedicated to the Muslim King and across the road is the temple.

It is great tranquility that descends upon pilgrims.

Mohammed Yousuf, the Organiser, Erumeli Jamaat mosque said,"It's perhaps a lesson for the rest of the world. The Hindu pilgrims who come here say they can't go to Sabarimala without getting Vavar's blessings and we at the mosque in turn wait for this moment every year."

Every devotee lines up before the buried mortal remains of the Muslim king before his journey to the abode of Lord Ayappa begins.

When lakhs of devotees gather to celebrate this ocassion, it gathers more significance, especially in times of communal strife and disharmony.