Raikia: In a powerful display of faith and unity, hundreds of devotees from various religious backgrounds gathered at Kalumaha, a Catholic village under Our Lady of Charity Parish, Raikia, in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. The solemn occasion, marked by deep devotion and interfaith harmony, took place on October 7 at the Kalumaha Grotto, under the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.
More than 1,000 faithful, including seven priests, a deacon, and ten religious sisters, joined the annual Marian feast, which has become a symbol of peace and spiritual renewal in a region that once witnessed severe persecution of Christians. The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Pradosh Chandra Nayak, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese, who led the faithful in prayer and thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Addressing the congregation, Fr. Nayak emphasized the central role of Mary in Christian life and salvation history. “Catholics are proud of Mother Mary, who fully cooperated with God in the salvation of humankind. Through her ‘yes,’ she became the channel of divine grace for the world,” he reflected, urging the faithful to imitate her humility and unwavering faith.
A significant highlight of the celebration was the installation of a 12-foot cross at the Kalumaha Grotto by Prafulla Pradhan, the Catholic Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Udaygiri constituency. Pradhan pledged ₹5 lakhs from his MLALAD fund toward the continued development of the shrine. “The Catholic Church has a Mother who intercedes for us in our journey. God listens to her requests for every need we present through the Holy Rosary,” he affirmed, expressing his hope that the grotto would serve as a beacon of faith and unity for generations to come.
Among the participants was Anita Pradhan, the widow of Kandhamal martyr Rajesh Pradhan, who offered a heartfelt testimony of faith amidst tragedy. “Mother Mary is the true intercessor to receive God’s blessings in my physical, social, and spiritual needs. Through the Holy Rosary, I connect with God and find courage, strength, and hope, even after losing my husband during the 2007–2008 anti-Christian violence,” she said, her words echoing the resilience of a community that continues to rise from the ashes of suffering through prayer and devotion.
Jayananda Nayak, President of the Kalumaha Grotto Committee, described the Marian feast as a moment of togetherness that transcends faith boundaries. “The Feast has attracted hundreds regardless of Hindu, Muslim, or other Christian denominations, fostering unity, fraternity, integrity, peace, harmony, and solidarity,” he stated.
He further added that the devotion to the Holy Rosary reveals the transformative power of prayer. “The Rosary offers grace to resist sin, cultivate virtue, and deepen our relationship with Christ, empowering a more holy life. We honour our Blessed Mother with love and devotion; may her guidance strengthen our bond with Jesus Christ, her Son,” Nayak said.
The celebration at Kalumaha stands as a testimony to Kandhamal’s healing spirit, where faith continues to flourish amid past wounds of persecution. The Marian feast not only reaffirms the Catholic community’s deep devotion to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary but also reflects the growing interfaith respect and unity that define the region today.
As the sun set over the hills of Raikia, the faithful departed the grotto with candles in hand and rosaries in their palms a living symbol of hope that shines through prayer, forgiveness, and faith in God’s enduring love.