Cuttack, Sept 21: As Durga Puja approaches, preparations for idol-making have begun across Cuttack. While artisans are busy shaping the clay framework of Maa Durga, a unique tradition at Alisha Bazaar once again highlights the city’s spirit of communal harmony.
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For years, members of the Muslim community in Alisha Bazaar have been supplying straw used to prepare the idols of Maa Durga at the local puja mandap. Though their religious identities are different, residents come together every year to participate in the festivities and preparations.
The tradition is not limited to supplying straw. Members of the Muslim community actively participate in various aspects of the puja, from preparations and arrangements to the immersion procession.
Under the leadership of puja committee vice-president Sheikh Ashraf, members of the community have been providing straw for the idol-making process every year. Their involvement reflects a long-standing bond among residents of the locality, who have stood by one another through times of happiness and hardship.
As Durga Puja draws closer, residents from both communities work together. From bringing straw for the idol to participating in the immersion procession, their collective efforts present a picture of unity beyond religious boundaries.
Cuttack is widely known for its tradition of communal harmony, and the Alisha Bazaar tradition adds another meaningful chapter to that identity.
Puja committee secretary Ganesh Behera said Cuttack has always set an example of brotherhood and that the Alisha Bazaar committee is carrying the tradition forward.
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“Durga Puja is a festival of the people. Our Muslim brothers come forward every year to support us, and we also enthusiastically participate in their celebrations, including Eid and Milad-un-Nabi,” he said.
The tradition at Alisha Bazaar stands as a reminder of Cuttack’s shared cultural fabric, where festivals become occasions for communities to come together and celebrate with mutual respect.
