Kurbantala, dedicated to Kurbanbaba pir, is a shrine representing perfect communal harmony in our small town of Bishnupur in Bankura district of West Bengal. Despite being a mazar, the shrine or dargah is predominantly visited by Hindu devotees, especially on Thursdays.

The prasadam comprises ‘patigurd’ (thin hard sweet slabs made of boiled molasses) and ‘mondas’ (white circular sweets made of pure sugar and cottage cheese) that is still prepared in a simple hut called “Patigurd Niketan” owned by a Brahmin family. Devotees can offer sweets, fruits etc. but ‘patigurd’ remains an indispensable item.

Most Hindu devotees pray at the mazar according to their own religious customs and rituals. The dervish at the dargah also blesses them by touching their head like Hindu worshippers.

The holy

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