In a welcome break from religious fanaticism that has become the order of the day, Muslims from a sleepy hamlet downstream the Brahmani river joined hands with Hindu villagers in observing the week-long Kalipuja festivities. Observing Kali puja is a major festival in this far-flung Olaver hamlet of Kendrapara district’s Rajkanika Tehsil and the striking feature of annual puja here is the spontaneous participation of a large number residents from Muslim community, said Mr Sudhir Chandra Palai, secretary of the local puja committee. “There are more than a hundred Muslim families in the village. For all of them, Kali puja is a much-awaited annual festival. Like Id-ul-juha and Moharram, Muslims observe puja with enthusiasm and passion.”, said Mr SK Kurban Ali, executive body member of the puja committee.