ROURKELA: The Durga Puja celebrations at Maoist-infested Kopsingha village best exemplify the unifying nature of festivals. The celebrations are marked by special rituals and oblation to propitiate the Goddess. However, the all-pervasive aspect of the festivity is brought to the fore by the participation of people from all communities in the rituals with great fervour and devotion.Every day since beginning of the Durga Puja, around 5,000 to 7,000 villagers from about 35 villages and hamlets including bordering Digha, Samtha, Redha and Sagjodi villages in Jharkhand, arrive at the venue for the celebration. The non-descript Kopsingha village, on the outskirts of Sundargarh district, remains abuzz with flurry of activities for five days. Interestingly, villagers have been managing the show for years with police and administrative authorities keeping away for security reasons.Sarva Puja Committee secretary Somnath Raha said in the 53 years history of the celebration, the village never witnessed social or religious friction. Members of all communities including Muslims and Christians chip in and spontaneously involve themselves in organising the festival. Villagers from far-flung areas trudge miles through inhospitable forest terrains and river Koel to participate in the Puja rituals. Every night, organisers hold open air film shows using cine projector. This year, the puja has been extended till Saturday with screening of blockbuster Sholay.
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