Tribute To The Ascetic
Channel: VideoVolunteers
Date: 28/03/2014

There is a unique festival that takes place in Musakata village, Redhakol block, at the ashram of Alasua baba in Sambalpur district. It is celebrated on 4th of December every year. Hundreds of villagers from more than 20 villages come together to organize and celebrate this day. 

Some decades ago an ascetic, Alasua baba or Alasua Das lived here. He died in 1974. He constructed a new temple adjacent to the existing Shiva temple. He placed Shiv Linga (an emblem of Shiva) there. After his death, his body was placed under the Shiv Linga. Now it is worshiped and a Samadhi Peth (cenotaph) was constructed in his memory. From the year he died, all the villagers from 22 villages have come together from four panchayats - Bansajal, Tribenpur, Paratpur, and Gadadhara to organize and arrange this festival. Everyone has celebrated this festival for 41 years now. Started as a tribute to the ascetic, this festival has become an emblem of support and friendship among the villages. There are numerous schools, health centres and various organizations that are named after him, not just in the these villages but in surrounding regions and beyond. 

'The most special thing about this festival is the absolute equality everyone enjoys, regardless of caste or age. It is promising to see everyone to eat together and get up at the same time. There is no discrimination between rich and poor. This is the form of equality, peace and unity we wish to see in coming ages' says Community correspondent Mamta Patra. She add, ' That is the reason we need to preserve our culture and traditions. Atleast those which promote peace and harmony in the community. Iam making this video to show to our future generations, in case they ever forget what it feels like to live together in peace' . 

Community correspondent Mamta Patra from Sambalpur district reports for IndiaUnheard.