BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, July 18, 2007: There are no religious barriers between Hindu and Muslim residents in Orissa’s port town of Paradeep, where members of both communities came together to celebrate the famous Rath Yatra (chariot festival). In Paradeep, about 70 km from here, Hindus and Muslims joined hands Monday to pull the chariots of the Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. “This communal harmony comes at a time when good news and goodwill have both become rare commodities and violence, hatred and indifference to the dignity of human life have made people cynical,” said religion researcher Prasanta Kumar Padhi.
Since time immemorial, this practice has been followed in the tiny village of Deulisahi, on the outskirts of Paradeep. Out of about 2,500 residents of the village, nearly 800 are Muslims. “Both Hindus and Muslims are active members of the Ratha Yatra committee. The Muslim members cleaned the village road for the smooth arrival of the chariots and they also dragged the sacred ropes of the chariots from the Jagannath temple,” 43-year-old Mustaq Khan, a villager, told IANS. Hindus in the village also participate in festivals observed by Muslims. “Since time immemorial, both the communities have been living peacefully in this village. As per Hindu traditions, Muslims are not entitled to enter temples. Bu here we allow the entry of any person irrespective of caste, creed and religion,” said Damodar Panda, the chief priest of the Praraeep Jagannath temple.