Bhubaneswar, June 27 -- Muharram and Tazia processions are traditionally associated with the Muslim community. But in Odisha's Sambalpur, a Hindu family has been preserving the centuries-old tradition for more than 360 years, making it a unique example of communal harmony.

The annual Tazia procession is organised by the Padhiary family in Modipara, where the tradition has continued uninterrupted since 1664. Every year, people from different communities come together to participate in the procession, keeping alive a legacy that has been passed down through generations.

According to the Padhiary family, the tradition began after one of their ancestors travelled to Makkah and returned with two revered saints, Syed Nazeer Baba and Syed Mast...