Mangaluru: Bridge of boats literally bridges all faiths

Mangaluru: Bridge of boats literally bridges all faiths

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 07, 2024: The coastal area of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka is known for being a communal area. The communal fault lines that presently define Coastal Karnataka are marked out by the saffron flags flying from the masts of fishing trawlers anchored at Bunder Port and others. There is, however, a lesser-known story from these coastal regions of Dakshina Kannada, a heartwarming gesture of communal harmony that is mostly overshadowed by other not-so-pleasant occurrences all over the country. It involves scores of Hindu boats with their saffron mast flying high forming a bridge across a river to make way to a famous mosque.

 

Situated near Mangalore, in the middle of the Netravati River, is the Rahmania Dargah Masjid Shariff in Nadupalli, Adyar Kannur. The visit to Dargah Sharif is special because it allows devotees to walk via a makeshift bridge that is made available by arranging around 80 boats in a row from the banks of the river to the mosque.

Nadupalli Rehmaniya Dargah, ten kilometres away from Mangalore city, is situated in the middle of the Netravati River. People of both Hindu and Muslim communities, predominantly Hindu boats, make a bridge by placing about 80 boats in a row. Then they put planks on it and attach a sandbag to the edge of the boat on both banks.

The River Netravati meanders peacefully around the isle that houses this historic mosque, which dates back around 400 years. This Dargah holds the tombs of three saints who dedicated their entire lives to providing the populace with spiritual advice. It’s commonly known that this dargah grants farmers their wishes. There are numerous stories of farmers who came here in distress due to a lack of rain, prepared gruel that was traditionally mixed with jaggery, gave it to the poor and prayed for rain.