Odisha: Hindus & Muslims of Nimpada Celebrate Dol As Unique Symbol of Brotherhood

Puri: In an era when hostility is dividing nations and communities across the world, Bada Machapur-Renghal in Nimapada block of Odisha’s Puri district is an example of communal harmony and brotherhood. In a unique show of unity, members of the Hindu and Muslim communities celebrated Dol (the festival of colours) together with fervour and gaiety on Tuesday.
As per tradition, for five days beginning of Fagu Dashami, thousands of people from both communities participated in the processions carrying Gopinath Dev of Badakpur village and Bhubaneswar Dev of Renghal village around the villages, met and greeted each other. Following this, the members of the two communities took the deities in a grand procession to a common ground near their villages dancing and playing traditional music.
Unlike in most places in India, children, women and men from both communities have been celebrating the Dol festival together for ages. Hindus and Muslims engage in smearing each other with colourful abir, singing, dancing and distributing sweets during the Dol ignoring the divisiveness and hatred created by their members elsewhere in the country.
An elaborate traditional entertainment programme is organized in these two villages during the Dol (Holi) festival. While folk artists are invited from outside, the villagers themselves participate in lathi fights, sword fights and horse dances. Members from both communities greeted each other and the youngsters seek blessings from the elders. Thousands of people from neighbouring villages throng the area to participate in this festival of brotherhood.
Hindus and Muslims visit each other’s homes and exchange greetings and munch on delicacies creating a festive atmosphere all around. Even relatives and friends of the villagers from outside visit them on this occasion.
A local villager Sheikh Ayazuddin said, “Such festivities have been going on for ages. Aside from Dol, people of both communities in this region celebrate each other’s festivals together. The colours of Dol have united the members of the Hindu and Muslim communities and it plays a vital role in the lives of people here.”
He added, “I wish that people from other regions of the country took a cue from this unique brotherhood and spread communal harmony across the world.”