Freedom fighters' idols at MP shrine

Hoshangabad, MP, Aug 15 (UNI) Freedom fighters are worshipped alongside deities at a temple in this district's Itarsi town.

The Jai Bhole shrine in Pudi Line locality is shaped like a chariot and a sterling example of architecture.

It boasts of 108 idols including pairs Ganesh-Durga, Vishnu-Shankar, Krishna-Hanuman, Mira-Lakshmibai, Sabri-Avantikabai, Tulsidas-Maharana Pratap, Kabir-Chhatrapati Shivaji, The Buddha-Guru Govind Singh, Mahatma Gandhi-Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak-Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The temple's foundation was laid in the colonial era.

''Martyrs are usually remembered only on August 15 or January 26 but by this shrine they are remembered every day,'' says priest Mahesh Bhargav.

UNI