The world famous Mahima mela will be celebrated at Joranda from February 7 for three days at Joranda, 26 km from Dhenkanal headquarters town.
Mahima saints deployed at 58 ashrams in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatishgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Nepal, Bangladesh and Japan were coming to the main shrine at Joranda with their annual collections in order to meet the huge expenditure to be incurred during the festival.
They were accommodated at Talamula Mutt, Natima Mutt, Lata Ashram, Patna Mutt and Jamudara Mutt. Expecting arrival of at least three lakh devotees during the occasion, the district administration of Dhenkanal had taken all precautionary measures for uninterrupted power supply, water supply and also provision of sanitation in and around the mela ground. Apart from deployment of adequate police forces, a bomb detection squad and cops in plain dress would also be engaged in order to prevent any untoward incidents. Hotels, make-shift shops and other business establishments had already erected temporary sheds by acquiring grounds near the temple premises. Besides, in order to avoid stampeding, temporary barricades had been constructed at the entrance site, north and west door of the Gadimindir. Reportedly, the east and south doors of the Gadimindir were to be used for the exit of devotees. Moreover, to avert rush of vehicles, one-way traffic arrangement had been made during the occasion.
Sources said , the Mahima cult emerged from village Jaka in Dhenkanal district during the year 1874, with the objectives of protesting Bramhins and Jamindars who stood for idolatry, casteism and untouchability. Mahima cult started to preach for promotion of classless society. The Mahima followers believed in shapeless god “Sunya Bramha”. Instead of using any hymns, the Mahima saints, only did prayers by reciting “Mahima Allekh”. Mahima Gosain, the propounder of Mahima cult, with his desciple Bhima Bhoi, ultimately had selected Joranda as his main abode and started the Mahima Mela there in year 1975, by igniting the Akhanda Dhuni(uninterrupted fire) on Magha Purnami for the welfare of universe.
On the instruction of Mahima Gosain, his desciples kept the fire buring and organising the mela, every year till Guru Purnima, even after the total annihilation (Maha Nirvana)of Mahima Gosain in year 1976.
Sources said Mahima Swami was first seen at Puri Danda known as Dhulia Baba. Later, he was found in deep meditation standing on one leg at Khandagiri for several years surviving only by air (Bayu).
