Minority join hands with Hindus to celebrate rathyatra

Kendrapara, Jul 16 (UNI) In a rare display of communal amity and mutual respect to Hindu religion, Muslims today joined hands with their Hindu brethren once again in pulling the chariot of Lord Jagannath in the backward Mohalla village under the Aul block of Kendrapara district.

As the Rath on Monday afternoon passed through the main raod of the village. Minority community members, including women, were out on the streets to participate in chariot pulling.

According to sources, this noble practice had been going on for more than 40 years. About 34 families of the minority community live in the Mohalla village. The chariot starts from Deulisahi and passes through the Mohalla road to reach Mausima Mandir at Olavar.

According to Raghab Das, a local, the minority community members clean the roads with cow dung and blow conch at the time of chariot pulling with respect towards Hindu religion .

Every year minority community members engage in the chariot works and stitch clothes to be used for the chariot, said Khilendu Das, a committee member.

The Rath Yatra, observed by both community members, is one of the biggest festival in their regions. It is one of the festival where the Hindu and muslims, settled outside the districts, return to their villages to observe the festivity with each other.

The Ratha Yatra is not the only occasion that reflects the communal harmony in this remote hamlet. Here a muslim heads the Kali Puja, said the OIC of Aul.

Social relation and co-operation among the residents of both communities are simply exemplary in this village with majority of populations belonging to the minority community.

Similarly, the Jagannath temple in Paradeep had remained an ample representation of serenity and harmony with religions in diversity.

The unique thing about it is that both Christian and Muslims in togetherness with Hindus participate in the famous Ratha yatra.

Thanks to Ratha Yatra, the frenzied atmosphere between upper caste people and Dalits of Keredagada under Rajnagar, which hit the headlines last year, had come to an end though for a week as people belonging to both the classes leaving behind their animosity joined hands to observe ratha yatra with a bond of brotherhood.

The Dalits were seen blowing conch, beating drum and bell before the chariot to participate in the festivity.

Tension had erupted after the dalits were not allowed entry into the temple last year.

UNI