Purulia: A Muslim youth spent Rs 70,000 from his personal savings to help renovate a Hanuman temple in Purulia town and offered special prayers on Saturday, days after clashes over Ram Navami processions in the district.

"I approached some of my friends and elderly people who are Hindus in our locality and asked them whether I could renovate the old Hanuman temple and install an idol. They happily agreed," said Mohammad Pappu.

The 28-year-old had saved the money by running a shop that rents out loudspeakers and music systems for events and festivals.

On Saturday, when Hanuman Jayanti was celebrated, Pappu had fasted before going through rituals at the temple which only had a picture of Hanuman earlier. A 4ft idol was put up at the shrine in the Karpur Bagan locality of Purulia town.

Pappu was recently recruited as a jawan in the army, the fulfilment of years of prayers at the temple for a government job. "My family did not teach me to differentiate between Hindus and Muslims since my childhood. We live here like one family," Pappu said.

The renovation work at the shrine began around a month ago.

Ramnath Pandey, the priest of the temple, said Pappu's gesture was a remarkable example of communal harmony against the backdrop of the clashes that had occurred in Asansol, around 100km away, over Ram Navami processions.

"The temple was old and needed repairs. We were not able to do it in absence of funds. We are happy that Pappu came forward," said Pandey.

Pappu is scheduled to join duty as a soldier later this month in Patna. "I had made a wish to offer puja to Lord Hanuman if I get a government job. I am happy that I got the job and offered puja in fasting like other Hindus on Hanuman Jayanti. I will try to continue it," said Pappu.

The Class XII pass-out lives with his parents and six brothers not far from the temple in Karpur Bagan. They are the only Muslim family in the locality.

His close friend Raja Ram with whom he grew up and studied in the same school said that they also took part in Id celebrations with Pappu's family every year and they in turn also enjoyed the Durga puja since their childhood. "Our religion may be different but not the colour of our blood. We live here like a family," said Ram.

Pappu's father Mohammed Ainul,who is a land broker in the area, said he felt proud of his son. "I am proud of Pappu. I have never taught my children to differentiate between communities."