The Viswakarma Puja is underway in the port town of Paradip with traditional fervour and gaiety.
It is a unique instance where every community people get themselves involved in the Hindu festival, be they Hindus, Muslims, Christians or persons of any other religion.
According to police records available, no incident of communal tension, violence and law and order situation ever happened during the Biswakarma Puja celebration in Paradip over the last four decades.
The Puja is held with equal zest in Rahim Chacha’s motor garage, Thomas Bhai’s fabrication unit, Gupta Maruwari’s leather shop, Harpal Singh’s diesel work shop and Raju Reddey’s trawler repairing unit in Paradip.
The Viswakarma Puja celebration in Paradip has a long history. When the port started in the year 1963 seven people from different communities had joined hands to organise the celebration aiming to establish communal harmony among residents living inside the town. The seed of communal amity sown by them has grown into a massive tree later.
Meanwhile, the Paradip Viswakarma Puja has been accorded prominence in Odisha like Dussehra in Cuttack, laxmi Puja in Dhenkanal, Kali Puja in Bhadrak, Sital Sasthi in Sambalpur and Thakurani Yatra in Ganjam district.
The Viswakarma Puja is relevant to Paradip because Hindu god Viswkarma is named as god of construction. The lord is the reigning deity of the vast industrial belt which houses some biggest plants and industries. So according to Hindu belief, the construction god is worshiped during the Viswakarma Puja ever year which falls on day of Aswa Panchami in the month of Awasina in Odia almanac and in the middle of month of September each year.
The people believe that the legendry construction god’s blessing can help avoid hurdles, misfortune, mishap and disaster during the year and maintain harmony among people and communities. So Paradip residents organise Viswakarma Puja each year, informs trade union leader Sudhakar Mantry.
This year also, Paradip town was fully decorated for the Viswakarma Puja which began on September 16 and people are enjoying the Puja in about 27 Puja pandals. The festivity will continue for one week with a mass immersion ceremony marking its end.
Big industrial houses like Paradip Port Trust, PPl, IFFCO, Paradip Carbon, l&T, ESSAR, Indian Oil Corporation, Cargil India and many trade unions, and some small industrial houses are observing the Puja in Paradip.
The size and theme of the pandals during the Viswakarma Puja depend upon the fancy of the craftsmen and organisers. Many decorated pandals symbolising different communities have been erected in various parts of the town. Events like musical night, cultural function, circus, opera performance by prominent Yatra troupes and fairs are organised during the celebration.
The district administration and Paradip police have made elaborate arrangements for maintaining law and order and smooth conduct of the celebration.