Kendrapara, July 01: In a rare show of communal harmony, Muslims joined hands with Hindus to pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath at Mohalla, a remote village in Aul block, 45 km from here today. Muslims, who formed the majority in the area, not only joined their Hindu brethren in observing the festival, they even helped construct the chariot, Subhranshu Sutar, a social activist of the area, told.
The practice of both communities observing their festivals together had taken roots only a couple of years ago, he said.
Some of the carpenters who shaped the wooden chariot were local Muslims.
The locals have become used to such camaraderie and find nothing unusual in it, Sutar said.
Muslims also took active part in the organisation of annual kali puja, the other major festival observed in the village besides the Rath Yatra.
Hindus also reciprocated their feelings of goodwill by taking part in festivals like Muharram, Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zoha besides weddings, Sutar said. Bureau Report