The Secret of Religious Harmony Unveiled in Vidarbha

thenewsdirt
Aug 20
10 min read

The morning sun casts long shadows across the ancient temples of Ramtek while the call to prayer echoes from the dargahs of Nagpur. In bustling marketplaces of Amravati, Jain merchants conduct business alongside Hindu traders, while Buddhist pilgrims make their way to Deekshabhoomi.

This is Vidarbha, where religious diversity is tolerated and celebrated as an integral part of daily life. The region stands as a compelling example of how different faith traditions can coexist, interact, and enrich each other in contemporary India.

Vidarbha has historically been a melting pot where Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Sikhism have found common ground.

The region's geographical position as a crossroads of trade routes and cultural exchange has fostered an environment where religious boundaries often blur in the shared experience of community life. From the mass conversion ceremony at Nagpur in 1956 that gave birth to the Neo-Buddhist movement to the centuries-old tradition of interfaith participation in local festivals, the area demonstrates remarkable religious accommodation.

The Foundation of Faith Diversity

The roots of religious inclusivity in Vidarbha trace back centuries, shaped by historical events and visionary leaders who championed unity across faith lines.

The region witnessed one of the most significant religious movements in modern Indian history when Dr. B.R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with approximately 400,000 followers at Nagpur on 14 October 1956.

This mass conversion ceremony at what is now known as Deekshabhoomi transformed the religious landscape of the region and established Nagpur as a sacred site for Navayana Buddhism.

The choice of Nagpur for this historic event was deliberate. As Ambedkar explained during the ceremony, Nagpur was the homeland of the Naga people who had embraced Buddhism in ancient times and propagated it throughout India.

The very name of the city, along with the nearby hills of Nagarjuna and the Nag River, pointed to the deep Buddhist heritage of the region. Archaeological excavations at sites like Mansar have revealed stupas and Buddhist artefacts that confirm centuries of Buddhist presence in Vidarbha.

The region's religious diversity extends far beyond Buddhism. Jainism has maintained a continuous presence in Vidarbha for over two thousand years, with the oldest known Jain inscription in Maharashtra found near Pale village, dating back to the 2nd century BCE. The Shantinatha temple at Ramtek, constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries, stands as a testament to the architectural and spiritual contributions of the Jain community.

The temple complex, featuring a 13-foot-tall idol of Shantinatha and modern facilities for pilgrims, attracts devotees from across India while maintaining harmonious relations with the predominantly Hindu population of the area.

Islamic traditions in Vidarbha developed through centuries of cultural exchange rather than conquest. The region's exposure to Sufi traditions has created a unique form of shrine-based Islam that emphasises harmony with other faith communities.

The Tajbagh area of Nagpur, recognised as a centre of the national Sufi corridor, exemplifies this inclusive approach to Islamic spirituality. Sufi saints and scholars in the region have consistently advocated for unity between different religious communities, creating spaces where people of various faiths can seek spiritual guidance and comfort.

Christian communities, though smaller in number, have established educational institutions and social service organisations that serve people regardless of their religious background.

The India Peace Centre in Nagpur, founded in 1988 by Dr. Mathai Zachariah, has become a focal point for interfaith dialogue and peace education. The centre regularly hosts programs that bring together representatives from different religious communities to discuss common concerns and build understanding.

Syncretic Traditions and Shared Celebrations

Perhaps the most visible expression of religious inclusivity in Vidarbha comes through the region's festival traditions, where religious boundaries become remarkably fluid. The three-day Mahalakshmi puja during the Ganesh festival exemplifies this syncretic approach to religious celebration.

Unlike other parts of Maharashtra, where the festival has primarily religious significance, in Vidarbha, it has evolved into a social celebration that transcends caste and religious boundaries.

Gauri Chandrayan, a state government employee whose family has celebrated the festival for generations, emphasises the inclusive nature of the celebration. "There are no restrictions on caste in these celebrations. We worship and feed a Brahmin woman and one of the other castes during these festivities," she explains. The festival treats the goddess like a daughter visiting her parental home, creating an atmosphere of familial warmth that extends to the entire community.

The Marbat festival of Nagpur presents another example of how religious traditions adapt to include diverse communities.

This 143-year-old celebration involves creating massive effigies representing evil, which are paraded through the streets and eventually burned at Nehru Putla Square. Participants from various religious backgrounds join in shouting "Take away all evil and go, Marbat," demonstrating how local traditions can unite people across religious lines in common purpose.

For tribal communities in Vidarbha, religious inclusivity takes on additional dimensions. The annual Koyapunem festival at Kachargadh cave in Gondia district draws hundreds of thousands of Gond worshippers, yet the celebration welcomes non-Gond visitors who wish to understand indigenous perspectives.

The festival serves as a bridge between ancestral tribal practices and contemporary interfaith understanding, with urban Gonds returning from cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, and Delhi to participate alongside elders.

The Bhulabai songs performed during the Navratri period in Vidarbha demonstrate how folk traditions can carry religious themes that resonate across community boundaries.

These songs, which invoke both goddess Parvati (Bhulabai) and Lord Shiva (Bhuloba), are performed in circular formations that include participants from different backgrounds, reinforcing community bonds through shared cultural expression.

Recent examples of interfaith participation include Muslim Sewa Samiti members in Nagpur showering flower petals and distributing water bottles during Ram Navami processions. "Nagpur is the city of brotherhood. Our motive is to promote this brotherhood and peace," explained one participant, reflecting the practical application of inclusive values in contemporary Vidarbha.

Institutional Initiatives and Peace Building

The institutional framework supporting religious inclusivity in Vidarbha has been significantly shaped by the work of spiritual and social reformers.

Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj (1909-1968) stands out as a pivotal figure whose influence continues to resonate throughout the region. Born in Yavali village in Amravati district, Tukdoji Maharaj used devotional singing and social reform to bridge community divides and promote rural development.

His approach to religious harmony was both practical and philosophical. Through the All-India Shri Gurudev Seva Mandal, established after Indian independence, he developed programs for integrated rural development that served people regardless of their religious affiliation.

His composition of over 3,000 bhajans in Hindi and Marathi carried messages of social unity, caste equality, and spiritual transformation that appealed to diverse audiences.

Tukdoji Maharaj's concept of 'Gram Kutumba' envisioned entire villages as extended family units where collective responsibility transcended religious differences. This philosophy directly influenced community development approaches throughout Vidarbha, creating lasting frameworks for cooperative action that continue today.

The recent Vidarbha-level Khanjiri Bhajan Competition, which concluded in Nagpur with participation from 271 groups, demonstrates the enduring appeal of his inclusive message.

Dr. Obed Manwatkar's work at the Parliament of the World's Religions in 2023 highlighted Nagpur's unique position as a centre of interfaith cooperation. As Professor of World Religions and Cultures at North Park University, Chicago, Manwatkar drew attention to the fact that central offices of numerous world religions are located in Nagpur, including Zoroastrianism, Jainism (both denominations), Buddhism, Christianity (National Council of Churches in India), Sikhism (Gurudwara Singh Sabha), and Sufi Islam.

The India Peace Centre has emerged as a leading institutional voice for interfaith dialogue in the region. Through its "Coffee and Peace" series and regular workshops, the centre creates neutral spaces where people from different faith traditions can engage in meaningful conversation about contemporary issues.

The centre's 50-day School of Peace program, launched in 2025 with participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, East Timor, Nepal, and India, demonstrates how Vidarbha-based initiatives can have an international impact.

Recent interfaith initiatives include the historic program at Sadar Jama Masjid in Nagpur, where 25 invitees from different faiths, including international delegates, were welcomed for an explanation of Islamic practices. "Before discussing anything, we must comprehend it thoroughly. The better our understanding, the more precisely we can converse," observed one participant, reflecting the approach to religious understanding that characterises successful interfaith work in the region.

The Dawoodi Bohra community's collaboration with the India Peace Centre in environmental conservation provides another model of interfaith cooperation.

Their presentation of bird feeders to the centre, along with a commitment to provide bird food for an entire year, demonstrates how religious communities can work together on practical issues while building understanding.

Contemporary Challenges and Adaptations

Despite its strong tradition of religious inclusivity, Vidarbha faces contemporary challenges that test the resilience of interfaith harmony.

The region's religious minorities have expressed concerns about political representation and resource allocation.

Muslim communities across the ten districts of Vidarbha have highlighted issues of underrepresentation in legislative bodies and inadequate infrastructure development in areas with significant Muslim populations.

Farhat Baig, a noted lawyer from Chandrapur, advocates for the inclusion of Muslim educational infrastructure demands in political party manifestos. "The demand for a hostel and library for Muslim students in every district should be included in the manifesto of every political party," he states, reflecting broader concerns about educational equity across religious communities.

The controversy surrounding the Maha free pilgrimage scheme revealed regional disparities in recognition of Vidarbha's religious heritage. Only five sites from Vidarbha found a place in the list of 66 pilgrim sites from Maharashtra, despite the region's rich religious diversity.

The exclusion of prominent centres such as Tajbagh (Nagpur), Dragon Palace (Nagpur), and several Ashtavinayak shrines of Vidarbha sparked debate about equitable representation of the region's spiritual significance.

These challenges have prompted adaptive responses from religious communities and civil society organisations. The National Interfaith Peace Conference held at Baba Tajuddin Dargah in Nagpur brought together leaders from different religious communities to address contemporary issues affecting communal harmony. The choice of venue, a Sufi shrine, and the participation of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and other faith representatives demonstrated the continued viability of inclusive approaches to addressing social challenges.

Educational initiatives have emerged as crucial tools for maintaining interfaith understanding. The Pratibhasthali educational institution for girls, established at the Shantinatha temple in Ramtek under the inspiration of Acharya Vidhyasagar, exemplifies how religious institutions can contribute to social development while maintaining their spiritual identity.

The institution serves students from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the Jain principle of service to humanity.

The region's response to national events that might generate communal tension has shown the strength of its inclusive traditions.

During the observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, the Maharashtra government's emphasis on communal harmony resonated particularly strongly in Vidarbha, where communities have long-standing relationships that transcend the political divisions of 1947.

Young people in Vidarbha are finding new ways to express interfaith understanding through digital platforms and cultural events.

The documentation of the Gondi language and oral traditions, inspired by festivals like Koyapunem, has created opportunities for cross-cultural learning and appreciation. Similarly, the growing interest in Buddhist philosophy among youth from various backgrounds reflects the continuing appeal of spiritual traditions that emphasise universal values.

The Living Heritage of Harmony

Vidarbha, the Living Heritage of Religious Harmony — The Living Heritage of Harmony

The success of religious inclusivity in Vidarbha stems from its organic development through daily interactions rather than imposed policies or artificial constructs.

Market relationships, educational institutions, cultural celebrations, and civic participation create multiple venues where people from different faith traditions encounter each other as neighbours, colleagues, and fellow citizens rather than representatives of competing ideologies.

The region's agricultural economy has historically required cooperation across community lines during planting and harvest seasons. Festival celebrations often incorporate elements that appeal to diverse audiences. The devotional music of bhajans attracts listeners regardless of their specific religious affiliation, while the community feasts associated with celebrations like Mahalakshmi puja welcome participants from various backgrounds.

Educational institutions established by different religious communities have served students across faith lines.

Christian schools and colleges in the region have long educated students from Hindu, Muslim, and other backgrounds, while Jain-sponsored educational initiatives focus on academic excellence rather than religious conversion. This practical cooperation in education has created generations of citizens who view religious diversity as normal rather than threatening.

The response to natural disasters and social crises often reveals the depth of interfaith cooperation in Vidarbha. During floods, droughts, or health emergencies, religious institutions regularly provide assistance based on need rather than religious affiliation.

Gurudwaras serve free meals to anyone who arrives, regardless of background, while mosques and temples open their doors to provide shelter during emergencies.

Contemporary technology has created new opportunities for interfaith engagement. Social media platforms allow religious communities to share their celebrations and traditions with wider audiences, while online forums facilitate discussions about common values and shared concerns. The digital documentation of festivals like Koyapunem and the streaming of interfaith dialogue sessions expand the reach of inclusive messages beyond Vidarbha's geographical boundaries.

The economic development of cities like Nagpur has attracted professionals from various parts of India, creating new opportunities for interfaith interaction. The presence of national and international companies has brought together employees from diverse religious backgrounds, fostering workplace relationships that often extend into social and community activities.

Religious inclusivity in Vidarbha embodies an active engagement where traditions influence each other, celebrations cross religious boundaries, and practical cooperation addresses common challenges.

From the ancient Buddhist heritage of Nagpur to the contemporary interfaith initiatives of the India Peace Centre, from the inclusive celebrations of Mahalakshmi puja to the cooperative approach of religious institutions in education and social service, the region demonstrates that religious diversity can be a source of strength rather than division.

The foundations established by historical figures like Tukdoji Maharaj and B.R. Ambedkar continue to influence contemporary approaches to interfaith relations. Their emphasis on practical cooperation, social justice, and spiritual transformation provides frameworks that remain relevant in addressing current challenges.

The institutional mechanisms they established, from the Gurudev Seva Mandal to Buddhist educational centres, continue to operate as bridges between communities.

As Vidarbha moves forward in the 21st century, its tradition of religious inclusivity faces both opportunities and tests. Urban growth, political changes, and social media can either strengthen interfaith understanding or create new sources of division.

The region's response to these challenges will depend on its ability to adapt traditional values of cooperation and mutual respect to contemporary circumstances while maintaining the essential spirit of inclusivity that has characterised its religious life for centuries.