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Muslim-built Hindu temple in Uttar Pradesh
by Pawan Shah

     Gorakhpur: A devout Muslim has got a Hindu temple built at Guria Ghat in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Sobrati Nirala says that he was ordained by the God, as Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and asked him to get the temple constructed. Nirala has been a devotee of Lord Shiva since his childhood. A manager with a company, he intended to start construction of the temple in 1881. Recalling initial hurdles he had to undergo, Nirala said he was thankful to Brahmins and residents, who presented him with a piece of land free of cost to get the temple constructed. Everyone irrespective of caste, offered both moral and material support to Nirala. "I saw a nice place at Guria Ghat here and the Brahmins at Guria Ghat gave me this land free of cost. I then got built a temple of Lord Shiva. Then, I became more devoted and got built a temple of Goddess Durga and Hanuman ji. As my devotion kept increasing, all the people irrespective of their cast helped me," said Nirala. Nirala has not only got the temple constructed, but has also become priest at the temple. He offers prayers, chants shlokas and performs aarti to the Hindu gods and goddesses. Though his Muslim counterparts tried to dissuade Nirala from constructing the Hindu temple, he didn't flinch. The residents have grown fond of Nirala, often frequenting the temple to offer prayers. "Nirala ji is a nice man. Inspite of being a Muslim, he has no affinity toward a particular cast or religion", said Sri Narayan Mishra, a resident.
-Dec 31, 2008