BALASORE: The shrine of Baba Bhujakhia Pir in Balasore is agog with activity on the occasion of ‘Urs’, a three-day annual festival of the Muslims that started yesterday. But the mammoth gathering at the shrine does not just comprise members of the Muslim community. It includes the Hindus.
Referring to the age-old tradition, Abdul Mohit Khan, member of the Balasore Municipal Council, said, ‘‘Since long people from both the religions have been offering prayers at the mazzar of Pir Baba. There has been absolutely no conflict. Our political leaders should take a leaf out of the religious harmony here and try not to instigate the communities to fight.’’ Echoing similar feelings, a Hindu devotee Santosh Jena said, ‘‘I do not feel any difference when I come to this shrine. Rather I experience peace. Our Muslim brothers help us whenever required.’’ Santosh added that during Urs, the shrine turns into a sea of humanity. ‘‘Both Hindus and Muslims throng the shrine to worship Pir Baba. No wonder if the Hindus outnumber Muslims while offering prayers at this religious place,’’ said Sk Sultan, Maulvi of the shrine. It is a shrine that symbolises the assimilation of Indo-Islamic culture, he added.
In this annual festival, quintals of ‘bhuja’ (puffed rice) and thousands of ‘chaddars’ are offered by devotees.
Thousands of devotees from the neighbouring districts and even from the states also throng the shrine during Urs.
Legend has it that Aasthana Sharif Hazrat Pir, named after ‘Bhujakhia Pir’ had come to Orissa in the 16th century and had devoted himself to the service of mankind, more so pioneering the efforts to serve the victims of cholera, when medical science had no access to these areas.
‘‘Fond of bhuja’, the Pir had taken his last breath under a neem tree. ‘Bhuja’ being his favourite food, he is remembered as Bhujakhia Pir,’’ said Sk Zabbar, president of Bhujakhia Pir managing committee.
Since then people have reposed their faith in his divine approach to life so much that, even after his demise, his shrine remained as a place of worship for the last few centuries.