Joranada mela begins in Dhenkanal

Joranda(DHENKANAL):Joranda Peetha, the religious headquarters of the Mahima dharma springs into action from Saturday with thousands of the followers of Mahima cult throng here to witness annual Joronda Mela.

The world famous  "Joranda mela", which begins from Saturday  will continue for two days at Joranda is being organized in a big way this year as it is being held without any restriction due to Corona pandemic after two years.

The sage Jogeswarmaha Prabhu, who became swami had began a severe penance of 24 years near the hills of Kapilasa in 1838, had selected Joranda, as the religious headquarters of the Mahima dharma and since 1876,this magha mela or Joranda Mela is being organised by the Mahima cult at Joranda.

The followers of " Mahima cult, or Alekha dharma believe in a castles society and strive for social upheaval. Mahima Gosain,the founder of the cult fought against this cast system among Hindus during 19th century".He denounced the worship of idols of gods or goddess to worship the empty sky".

Though there are several Mandirs(temples) here, the Mahima swami is  enshrined in Gadi Mandir.Besides the Gadi Mandir, there are Dhuni Mandir, Suny mandir,Bati mandir,Sankha Mandir,Ghanta Mandir and Jyoti Mandir here which attracts a large number of devotees as well as tourists from different parts of the state.

But ,this year due to a court order the administration had demolished three buildings of bati mandir,,Dhuni Mandir and Bheka mandir belonging to the Kaupunidhari sect of Mahaima Gadi .After hectic meetings between both the two sects of Mahima Dharma sorted out the problem for the time being.

This year the ‘Jhada Deepa’ (Sacred Fire) will begin in the evening around 7 pm. The Mahima swamis will pour  of ghee throughout the night with the ‘recital’ of Guru Alekh and Mahima Alekh ‘The saints will also distribute Prasad popularly known as ‘Amhania” among the devotees.

"Depriving its name from its founder Mahima Gosain, the cult gained prominence because of the sincere and untiring efforts of his disciple Bhima Bhoi. He found a large number of followers in the state as well as in the country",Nityananda Dash,the chief of Bakaladhari sect said.

The Mahima cult has now followers around the world, including  Japan, Bangladesh, Nepal,US and many other South Asian countries,he said.

Apart from main mela,during the fair meena bazaar, exhibition and operas are being organized too.Though,the main festival is being organised for two days,it’s market and other temporary markets will safety for another three days.

Dhenkanal collector Saroj Kumar Sethy said,”Adequate security measures were taken to maintain law and order in the mela.Heavy police have been deployed in the area. Arrangements for Drinking water,electricty,toilets,health care facilities are also made”.