Hindu Tazia turns 350 years in Sambalpur

While Muslim community observed Muharrum on Friday, it is the Modipara Tazia of Sambalpur that generated attention for every one because it was organized by an orthodox Brahmin family. The Padhiary family of Modipara revealed that the family organizes

it ever since the first Tazia was brought out by one of forefathers in the year 1664. This is 350th year of celebration for the family which becomes the best example of communal harmony between the two communities. Though it is purely a Muslim’s event, the Hindu family of the town feels it is their family tradition.

“I have been doing this after the death of my father as we feel it is a tradition of our family.This is 350th years of event we undertook this year since the first was brought out in the year 1964,” the elder member of the Padhiary family of Modipara , Lalmohan Padhiary said on Friday (15th November 2013).

Sources said the people of Muslim community observe this to mourn and pay homage to Hassan and Hussein, who became martyrs (about 680 AD) in Karbala desert in Arabia. During the festival, the people of Muslim community injure themselves as a mark to the memory of the two brothers. But for Padhiary family it is just a family tradition and nothing else. They bring out the tazia from Modipara chowk by performing puja in a purely Hindu tradition by breaking coconut. Though there are several Tazia processions of Muslim community, the Modipara Tazia is distinguished by its appearance. The tomb of the Modipara Tazia is red while Tazia of others are white and green.