On March 13, 2025, national media brought attention to two contrasting incidents: one from Uttar Pradesh, and a few other northern states where authorities covered up several mosques amid the Holi celebration, a vibrant and joyous Hindu festival, while other from the Southern state of Kerala where Masjids opened their door to the devotees of Attukal Pongala, an annual Hindu ritual at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, often referred to as the ‘Sabarimala of women.’

While one represents the fear of communal clash foreseeing the confrontation of Holi procession with Masjids, the other displays communal harmony and solidarity, which is neither seasonal nor surprising. The Churches and Mosques open their gates for the devotees during every year at pongala festival. Moreover, there have been several instances from southern states showing reciprocal respect and cooperation during each community’s festivals.

Read Also: Kerala’s Attukal Pongala: Viral Image Highlights Communal Harmony

On Thursday, the Manakkad Juma Masjid opened its doors and provided facilities to the thousands of women who arrived in the state capital for the ‘Attukal Pongala’. The Masjid allotted an entire parking area for the vehicles of devotees and accommodations for drivers inside the Masjid. It has also arranged separate toilets for women, apart from giving drinking water facilities. Besides, a separate room have been provided for the police officials who were on duty during the festival. The practice is surprisingly not new and Masjid provides these facilities to pongala devotees every year.

While speaking to a local news channel, a representative of the Masjid expressed his regret that they were not able to provide food to the pongala devotees in the morning due to the ongoing fasting during the Ramadan period, adding that they provided food yesterday evening after breaking the fast for the day. The event is considered one of the most significant and celebrated ritual in Kerala. The women only ritual involves preparing sacred offering with rice, ghee, banana, jaggery, and coconut.

Read Also: Shouting “Jai Shri Ram” Inside Mosque Not Religious Insult: Karnataka High Court

On the other hand, on the same day, images of masjids being covered using tarpaulin sheets surfaced. Mosques in Bareilly, Sambhal, Shahjahanpur, and Aligarh in central-western UP were covered, “to avoid any law and order situation arising out of the throwing of shoes and slippers,” according to police officials. In some places, there is a tradition of playing ‘Joota Maar Holi’ (playing Holi using shoes/slippers).

A total of 189 mosques in at least four districts of the state were covered, as per reports. In addition, the Muslim clerics of Uttar Pradesh have also revised the timings for Friday prayers, postponing them after 2 pm during the holy month of Ramzan. Authorities also deployed large security personnel in sensitive areas.

Read Also: Post Maha Kumbh Stampede Tragedy, Muslims Opened Mosques, Schools For Pilgrims

However, it is also important not to overlook the fact that there are stories of religious harmonies too. Following the Maha Kumbh stampede in January 29, Muslims in Prayagraj had opened mosques, shrines and their homes to help stranded devotees. Pictures had emerged showing people offering food and shelter to the stranded people, manifesting the inherent positivity.