Dhenkanal: The annual Joranda Mela kicked off at the Mahima Gadi in Dhenkanal’s Joranda on Thursday.
Also known as Magha Mela, this fair is held annually on the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Magha (Magha Purnima). The three-day-long festival of the Mahima sadhus witnesses a huge rush of visitors and devotees every year.
Apart from Mahima Sanyasis (ascetics), saints and pilgrims have come to Joranda Mela this year to worship at Mahima Gosain’s Samadhi Pitha in Sunya Mandir (temple).
The district administration has made elaborate arrangement for the smooth conduct of the festival. The administration has also come up with drinking water facilities, toilet facilities for the convenience of devotees and monks.
Rituals like the Jhadu and Kheera Lagi Neeti will be held as part of the fair. For the Jhadu Neeti, silver vessels are used to carry water for sacred rituals and gold utensils for sprinkling sandalwood water. Later, seven huge offerings – ‘Bhog’, are offered to the deity. Also, special prayers are being offered on this occasion to bring peace and prosperity in earth.
Notably, though the temple in Odisha was built in the early 20th century, the shrine existed since 14th century.
The temple is dedicated to the supreme Lord – Sunya Bramha, the shapeless Lord. No image or idol worship is done inside the temple. The great saint had ignited a perennial flame called the ‘Akhanda Dhuni’ at Joranda, which continues to burn till today.
A Havan or Yagya is held in ‘Yagna Kund’ (holy pyre) as a part of mela celebrations and is the main attraction for tourists and pilgrims. The Mela continues for three days and thousands of liters of ghee is offered to havan fire.
Saint Baba Nityananda Das said, “Bedha Parikrama ritual has already been done today. Jhadubati Neeti will be observed in the evening. Thousands of liters of ghee will be offered in the evening.”
A Mahima Cult saint said, “We are observing 151th Mahima Mela this year in the memory of Mahima Swami or Mahima Gosain. In 1874 Gosain realized that his time to go back to the absolute void was near. He came to Joranda in Dhenkanal district to breathe his last. That’s why this place is known as Mahima Gadi or seat of Mahima Gosain. He gave up his mortal frames on his own accord in 1876 on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Phalguna. This is how Joranda became the main centre of Mahima followers. We observe this mela in his memory every year. Monks, saints and devotees congregate in large number on this occasion. The fair will be held for three days this year.”
