Bhubaneswar: The much-awaited Joranda Mela commenced today at Mahima Gadi in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district and will continue until February 7, drawing saints, devotees, and spiritual seekers from across the region.
The annual mela commemorates the salvation of Mahima Gosain, the revered leader of the Mahima Dharma spiritual movement, at the sacred Sunya Mandir — a temple dedicated to the worship of the formless divine, known as Sunya Brahma. Devotees offer prayers at key shrines within the complex, including the Gadi Mandir, Dhuni Mandir, and Ghanta Mandir, making the festival a distinctive spiritual gathering rooted in centuries-old tradition.
Unlike conventional temples, the Joranda shrine does not practice idol worship. Instead, a perpetual sacred flame known as the Akhanda Dhuni, believed to have been lit by Mahima Gosain himself, continues to burn as a symbol of eternal spiritual presence. One of the mela’s major attractions is the grand Yagna Kund ritual, where thousands of litres of ghee are offered into the sacred fire. Devotees chant “Alekh Brahma” in unison, praying for universal peace and prosperity.
Mahima Dharma traces its origins to a 19th-century spiritual reform movement led by Mahima Swami, also known as Mahima Gosain. The movement emphasized devotion to a single, formless deity — Alekh, meaning “the Invisible One” — along with values of self-discipline, moral living, and compassion.
Historical accounts suggest Mahima Gosain first appeared in Puri in 1826. Before settling there, he is believed to have spent years in deep spiritual practice in the Himalayas. In 1838, his journey led him to Kapilas in Dhenkanal, where he reportedly meditated for 24 years wearing bark garments and renouncing worldly life. On the bright 14th day of the Magha month, he formally established the Mahima faith, marking the beginning of a spiritual movement that continues to influence followers today.
Meanwhile, the district administration has put extensive security and traffic arrangements in place ahead of the Chief Minister’s scheduled visit to Joranda on February 1. Authorities anticipate a large turnout of devotees during the week-long festival.