NAGPUR, July 23, 2013: Also referred to as Triveni Sant Sangam, the small village of Dhapewada is a fine example of secularism at its best. Besides the famed temple of Vitthal Rukmani, the place is also famous for a gurudwara, a masjid, a Buddhist temple and shrines of both Hindu and Muslim saints. "This place is truly blessed by divinity and so many great souls," says Prabhakar Ramade, a trustee at the temple. 

The small hamlet welcomes nearly two lakh devotees during this season from all over the state. It also has various celebrations held by gurudwara and shrines. "There are not many facilities but still every year the occasions pass off peacefully," he says. It is the poor and middle class segment of the society which forms the bulk of devotees who come here to worship. "Even for them there are not many facilities," informs Baba Kode a temple worker. 

A health camp set up by the primary health centre takes care of any medical event arising here. "But such are the blessings of almighty here, that it rains heavily after the utsav and the place gets washed and cleaned," says Kode and adds that there has never been an outbreak of an epidemic. 

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 23, 2013.