Muslim woman constructs Shiva temple

A devout Muslim woman has constructed a Lord Shiva temple in the Hindu pilgrimage city of Varanasi as 'ordained' by God.

"The Lord appeared in my dreams late last year and asked me to undertake the project," Noor Fatmi, a widow and a practising lawyer, said.

"Now my task has been accomplished, I can relax and be at peace with myself," she said.

The Rudreshwar Mahadev temple in Gangeshpur locality was thrown open to the faithfuls during Maha Shivratri last week.

Recalling initial hiccups in undertaking the project, Fatima said she was thankful to Hindu religious leaders and locals, who chipped in with monetary contribution, for building the temple in a record three-month.

Muslims, too, offered both moral and material support, she said.

Fatima said she had a mere Rs 5,000 with her when she started the project.

Even the death of her husband, an employee of the Diesel Locomotive Work, last year could not weaken her resolve as her daughters whole-heartedly stood behind her in accomplishing the project, she said.