Like any other Maharashtrian locality, the Khimji Vishram chawl at Sewri celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with gusto every year. Only this time there was a difference. A Muslim family, the only one in a sprawling chawl of 86 households, brought home the deity along with nine other families. There was no pomp, no splendour as Mulani, wife Rehana and two children performed the aarti along with neighbours, just a little away from the shelf where the Quran is perched in this tiny room.

``My wife was very ill during her pregnancy last year. I was at a neighbour's house and I instinctively prayed to Ganapati for her recovery. Later I promised myself I would observe the festival every year at my house if my wife gave birth to a son,'' says Mulani (29), whose wish was granted in January thisyear, when Faiz was born. Mulani, who works at the Kalbadevi cloth market, is a devout Muslim who observes all Islamic rituals.

His five-year-old daughter, Farheen, is excited at the prospect of holding the festivities every year. The entire neighbourhood had descended on their house to bid goodbye to the god.

``Two days ago when he said he wants to bring home Ganapati, all of us accompanied him to the idol-maker. We helped him light up his room and arranged for all the things required for the pooja,'' says Lata Gaekwad, his neighbour, adding, ``We are really happy at the thought of a Muslim celebrating our festival.''

Mulani says he finds nothing extraordinary about a Muslim family observing the Ganesh festival. ``There are a handful of Muslims who bring home the idol every year. They are not interested in the publicity -- most of them promise to do it after a mannat has been granted. As for myself, I have spent more than a decade in this building participating in all Hindu festivals, so it doesnot make much of a difference to me. It's the same as Id being celebrated in my house.''

Though their parents in Satara have supported Mulani, his wife Rehana is a little apprehensive. ``I hope this does not create trouble. You never know,'' she says. Mulani, however, is dismissive about any problem being created. ``During the '93 riots, all Hindus here protected my family. I just wish more people would celebrate each other's festivals. It would end so much of misery in our country.''