BHUBANESWAR:  Hundreds of Muslims in Orissa joined in the nine-day Jagannath chariot festival being celebrated in several villages and towns across the state.

Reports spoke of all 800 Muslims joining the celebrations in the village of Deulasahi in Kendrapada district, for instance, like in previous years. The Muslims of the village also contributed funds for the event, said Sameshar Khan, a villager. “The village collectively forms a committee to organise the festival every year and our community are also members,” he said. This year, one of the villagers Naeem Ali donated a tree for constructing the chariots.Some Muslim carpenters also pitched in in building the chariots.

“Hindu residents join us in our Id festivals too,” said Sahid Khan, another villager, adding that the communities attended each other’s marriages and other cultural ceremonies.

Read more: Communal Harmony
Related link: Gujarati Muslims participate in yearly yatra