Saharanpur: Words like ‘communal harmony’ and ‘Vishal Rah’ reflect the religious, social and historical heritage of this region. People from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities have been living together here for years. The legacy of historical figures like Haji Shah Kamal and Baba Laldas keeps the region’s deep cultural diversity and tradition of brotherhood alive even today.
The friendship between Baba Laldas and Haji Shah Kamal is a unique example of Hindu-Muslim unity. The huts of both were adjacent to each other and they respected each other’s religion and worshiped together. It is said that Haji Shah Kamal had come close to Baba Laldas as his disciple and it was with his inspiration that Baba Laldas brought Ganga water from Haridwar to Saharanpur.
Many times when anti-social elements tried to spoil the atmosphere of the city, the friendship of these two great personalities always strengthened the brotherhood. Even today, the Dargah of Haji Shah Kamal and the temple of Baba Laldas remain as an example of Hindu-Muslim unity and brotherhood.
Local litterateur Dr. Virendra Azam while talking to Local 18 says that Baba Laldas and Haji Shah Kamal are known as symbols of national unity and communal harmony of Saharanpur. In any harmony programme, an example of the friendship between these two is given. Baba Laldas was a proven yogi and no one has an accurate estimate of his age, many people estimate his age to be 300 to 500 years.
He used to do penance by building a hut near a small lake in the dense forests. His fame reached the court of Shahjahan, although he was presented unfavorably there. In this context, Shahjahan sent his famous fakir Haji Shah Kamal to test him. Haji Shah Kamal came here and told Baba Laldas that he was thirsty.
Water is not finished from Kamandal
Baba Laldas picked up his kamandal and started giving water to Haji Shah Kamal. During this period, neither Haji Shah Kamal’s thirst was quenched nor did the water from Baba Laldas’s kamandal run out. After which both of them saw and recognized each other. After this, Haji Shah Kamal also built a hut of his own near his hut and started living there. During this time a deep friendship developed between the two. Haji Shah Kamal had become his great admirer and if there was anything, both of them would share it with each other, be it about digging or worship.
Amazing miracle of Ganga water
Baba Laldas used to go to Haridwar every morning to take a bath in the Ganga. One day Haji Shah Kamal asked him, can’t Ganga come here for you? On this Baba Laldas appealed to Ganga. The next day his pot and stick were seen floating in the lake. It is believed that the source of Ganga burst in the Shakalapuri area near Saharanpur, which is still the center of local reverence. This story is not only a miracle but also a deep example of friendship, faith and harmony.
