A Muslim man leads Dussehra festival in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district
By Nirod Nayak
BARIPADA, OCT. 24: A 65-year-old Muslim man has been at the forefront of the Dussehra festivities for decades at Tentulidinga village near Baripada in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. The man, Kohinoor Islam, diligently supervises each and every detail of the Puja, from the selection and making of the idols to their immersions.
While the Sarbajanina Saradiya Durga Puja Pandal orcommunity puja pandal at Tentulidinga village epitomizes the communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims in the region, Kohinoor appears to be the torchbearer.
It all started in 1984 when Kohinoor evinced his interest in organising the Durga puja at his village. With support from elders, he went ahead in promoting communal harmony with this unique idea. Since then Kohonioor has been initiating special measures for the conduct of Durga puja in the village.
“On the request of villagers, I took the responsibility of conducting the Dussehra festival at the Sarbajanina Saradiya Durga Puja Pandal. None has ever any issues with me leading the arrangements as people from both the communities live together peacefully. I get full cooperation from all my fellow villagers to make this puja a grand success,” said Kohinoor.
Kohinoor is not only known for his organisational skills, but he can also recite several Vedic Sholakas (hymns) and mantras at ease.
“Kohinoor Islam has been doing a great job in promoting communal harmony. Despite being a Muslim, he has acquired lot of knowledge about Hindu rituals and even the Bhagwad Gita. He is no different from any one of us in the village,” said Anil Nayak, a villager.
During the Dussehra, people of all communities visit the puja pandal and offer their prayers. They also share together the bhoga or offering given to Goddess Durga.
“The uniqueness of our Dussehra festival here has given us a different identity. Not only people from our neighbouring villages come here, but also curious devotees from West Bengal also arrive here to see for themselves how two communities are celebrating the this festival with equal zeal and fervor,” said the locals.
