In this Sangli village, Ganapati sits inside a mosque

Kolhapur: About 44 years ago, when heavy monsoon rain threatened Ganeshotsav plans in Sangli's Gotkhindi village, residents — Hindus and Muslims alike — decided to install the Ganapati idol inside a local mosque. Since then, this village has continued the practice.
Gotkhindi, in Sangli's Walva tehsil, has a population of roughly 10,000, and all residents here are proud of their communally harmonious Ganeshotsav celebrations.Hindus and Muslims both observe fasts here and dine together during festivities. Gotkhindi has about 50 Muslim households.
Every year, the pran-pratishtha of the Ganapati idol is carried out in the presence of local officials and police station personnel. Hindus and Muslims also celebrate Shivjayanti together, and a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is also installed in the mosque.
Rahul Kokate, the president of New Ganesh Mandal, said, "The tradition started in 1980, the first year of the foundation of the mandal. Hindus in the village observe fast during Ramzan, and Muslims observe fast during Ganapati. We share Diwali snacks, and Muslims call us to have kheer during Eid."
Muslim residents of the village said they have been living side by side with Hindu families for generations. "Our previous generation started this tradition; it is the tradition that respects each other's faith. We communicate constantly so that harmony continues even during testing times. We attend the daily Ganapati aarti and participate in the immersion procession as well," said Mohsin Pathan, who is a member of the mandal along with 20-25 other Muslim residents.
Pathan's father was president of the mandal, and his grandfather was among the villagers who started the tradition.
Some Muslims also install Ganapati idols in their homes and celebrate the 10 days of Ganeshotsav with devotion. Arman Jamadar (22) is one such person. He presides over the daily aarti of Narsinha mandal, another mandal in the village. He said he knows every ritual and mantra required for the daily puja.