HINDU OBSERVES MUHARRAM IN ODISHA

HINDU OBSERVES MUHARRAM IN ODISHA 7/12/2011
ODISHA NEWS-
SAMBALPUR:-

The festival commemorates the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson- Hazrat Imam Hussein. It is celebrated with great fervor by the Muslims especially the Shia community. Tazias, glittering replicas of the Martyr's tomb, are carried in procession through the streets. The Tazias of Sambalpur, Badrak and Cuttack are noted for their splendor in Odisha.


People beat their chest in mourning to the tune of beating drums and chants 'Ya Hussain'. Devotees beat themselves and inflict wounds on their own bodies.

This festival starts at the 1st day of Muharram and lasts for 10 days until 10th of Muharram. Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar.
The tazias are either buried or immersed in water at the end of the procession. It is a shining example that a Hindu family in Sambalpur has been deeply involved in the tazia ceremony since 1664 that is about 364 years.


According to Lal Mohan Padihiary Muharrum is a grand occasion for their family. Their forefathers have been doing it for centuries and now Lal Mohan is following the the year old tradition since 30 years. One of his forefathers Jayadev Padihary had been to Mecca. After his coming back from the holy shrine, he started the ritual with the help of the ruler of Sambalpur Chatra Sai.


Lalmohan Padhiary belongs to a Brahmin family which resides at Modipara who performs the tazia procession during Muharrum in Sambalpur. Though the family has a temple and his brother works as the priest of the temple, Lalmohan never forgets to bring Tazia procession during Muharrum as he feels it as tradition of the Padhiary family.


Being a staunch hindu brahmin the Padihiarys see no difference between the two religion. “This is a glaring example of communal harmony. The age-old tradition reflects that Sambalpur is a place of peace unity and harmony. I have been performing the ritual in Modipara tazia for the Padihary family for the last 40 years. My forefathers also used to perform the ritual here” said Sayed Yusuf Ali, 71 year Maulvi. Though it is distinguished from its custom and colour, still it goes round the street along with other tazias of Muslim community.


India and the Indian people need a generation of peace — at home, in the neighborhood and in the world — for the country to realize its destiny and for every Indian to be well-fed, clothed, educated, employed and truly empowered. In countries like India, it is very important, being a precondition to internal peace, which is essential for progress and development of the country.

India has got multiplicity of religions and very nature of the culture is composite. But religion has never been a source of co between the communities in Indian society. Mutual tolerance and regards for other religions is an age-old tradition of the country. Still the vested interests has always been active to create disharmony be them.

For the sake of maintaining communal harmony, Akbar the started a new religion Din-e-Iiahi. He made a Rajput lady his wife gave equal respect is Hindu religion. During the time of Bahadur Zafar, the last king of Mugal dynasty, a function, Foolwalon-ki-Sai: used to be organized regularly in Delhi, were people of both the religion worshipped in temples and mosques together.

Founders of our constitution also underlined the need of co harmony and provided for equal rights to all Indians irrespective of cast, colour and creed. This had made our democracy system stronger main problem is how to maintain communal harmony at administrative and social levels. There is lack of political consciousness armor, common people due to illiteracy. Secondly, antisocial and professional criminals have been playing a key role in communal riots and flare-up as agents of vested interests.

A wonderful event, it truly signified how each one of us can contribute towards the big cause. Channelizing our thoughts into productive result is the key here. Peace is not the goal; it is the way to reach our goal.

Siddhartha Shankar Mishra,
Bureau Chief, These Days,
Odisha.