Despite incessant rains, about a lakh devotees on Sunday thronged Padmabana Pitha (Mahapurusha Achyutananda tomb) of Nemala situated on the bank of the sacred Chitroptala river for celebrating the Snan Purnima. It is believed that on the particular day lord Jagannath of Shreekhetra visit the Achyutananda Gadi at Nemala every year.
As per the legend, prophet Achyutananda had gone to Puri to witness the Mahasnana Utsav, the bathing ceremony of lord Jagannath, where he was assaulted as he belonged to Gudiya Baisnab cult. Being hurt, lord Jagannath in a dream assured Mahapurusha Achyutananda to visit Nemala once in a year on the Snan Purnima day. It is believed that all the rituals and rites of lord Jagannath are performed at Nemala for a day. As per the devotees, lord Jagannath came to the Achyutananda Gadi in the form of rain, said a disciple of Mahapurusha Achyutananda.
Mahapurusha Achyutananda is said to have obtained Sunya Samadhi for which he is known as Sunyapurusha and his Padmakalpa Malika is known as Sunya Pothi.
He is believed to take birth between 1470 -1500 AD on Magha Sukla Ekadashi Day at Nemala. He is one of the five devotees of lord Jagannath, popularly known as Panchasakha or Panchattma. They were renowned poets and religious leaders of Odisha. Beyond that they were illustrious visionaries.