Joranda Mela gears up to host 2L visitors till Feb 2

Bhubaneswar: The Magha Mela of the Mahima sect began on Saturday evening at the revered Joranda’s Shunya Mandir in Dhenkanal, ushering in a three-day spiritual congregation that will continue till Feb 2.Celebrated on the full moon day of the Magha month (Jan-Feb), the annual mela is expected to draw over two lakh devotees, ascetics and tourists from across India and abroad.The mela holds deep spiritual significance for followers of Mahima Dharma, who worship Sunya Brahma, the formless Supreme Being. One of the central rituals of the festival is the lighting of the Jhada Deepa, a sacred fire lit with ghee, symbolising purity, devotion and spiritual discipline.Alongside, burns the Akhanda Dhuni, a perennial flame ignited by Mahima Gosain himself, which continues to burn uninterrupted even today.According to the district administration, more than two lakh devotees are expected to witness the mela this year. Elaborate security and civic arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the festival. As many as 15 platoons of police force have been deployed in and around Joranda, along with additional traffic personnel to regulate vehicular movement.“Special traffic arrangements, designated parking zones, temporary toilets, drinking water facilities, fire safety along with advanced equipments and medical teams have been arranged to ensure a safe and hassle-free mela for devotees,” said Dhenkanal collector Ashish Ishwar Patil.“ We had evicted encroachments near the temple, broad roads have been made for smooth flow of traffic, elaborate illumination in the area ensures better visibility at night. The administration is closely coordinating with police, health and other line departments to manage the large congregation,” added Patil.Mahima Gosain had envisioned a classless society during the 18th century when lower castes were tortured by the zamindars and other rich people. He had also opposed the idea of conversion from Hinduism to Christian society at large, his ideology influenced the universal brotherhood attracted thousands of devotees.The Joranda mela has been observed since his death in 1876. He had ignited a perennial flame called the ‘Akhanda Dhuni’, which continues to burn to this day.Devotees belonging to the Kaupindhari and Bakaldhari Samaj, along with thousands of sadhus and sanyasins from different parts of the country and the world, have already begun thronging the holy site to offer prayers for world peace and spiritual harmony.The mela also draws foreign spiritual seekers intrigued by the sect’s emphasis on simplicity, non-idolatry and austere living.Nityananda Baba, a Mahima guru, said, “The festival is a reminder of spiritual equality and inner awakening. Joranda Magha Mela teaches us to look beyond form and ego and realise the truth of Sunya Brahma. It is a path of discipline, compassion and self-realisation.”Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi is scheduled to visit the mela on Feb 1, informed district administrations officials.