Sheikh Rahim, 55, is a devout Muslim of Dhana village in Sagar district of M.P. who specialises in constructing temples. Being a Muslim is no handicap in his job as Rahim would testify. In fact, he is widely respected by the mostly Brahmin villagers for his skills. And the adoration is reciprocated by Rahim.

The villagers lovingly call him Rahim kaka and consider him a perfect mason. He finds nothing unusual about it. "I have done well in life because I have the ashirwad of the Hindu gods and Allah," said the mason ...

"Most temples in the area are a tribute to Rahim's skills," said Devendra Tiwari, secretary of Patneshwar Temple Welfare Committee ...

Though he is a pious Muslim, Rahim has overcome Islam's aversion to idol worship ...

But Rahim's loyalty to his work has not diluted his devotion to Islam. However busy he is, the mason finds time and place to offer the daily namaz ...

Interestingly, the man who specialises in building abodes for gods does not have a pucca roof above his head ...