Joranda Mela, Odisha


Joranda Mela (Odia: ଯୋରନ୍ଦା ମେଳା) is a three days fair celebrated at Joranda Mahima Gadi by the monks of Mahima Dharma. The mela started from the Magha Purnima which is also known as Aghira Purnima in Odisha.

Magha is the 10th month of the year according to Odia calendar which starts from Makara Sankranti in the mid of January. So, this festival is celebrated in January or February according to the Georgian Calendar.

Joranda Gadhi is a temple in the Dhenkanal district in Odisha. It's built on a location where three villages Joranda, Natima, and Patna met. The temple is dedicated to the supreme lord. The followers of Mahima dharma worship him as Sunya Brahma or the shapeless lord.

This festival is the biggest festival of Mahima Dharma, where lots of people use to come to this place from different parts of India. This festival is also known as the Mahima Mela.


Mahima Swami or Mahima Gosein (Odia: ମହିମା ଗୋସେଇଁ) is the founder of this Mahima religion. After his death in 1283, this festival is being celebrated at Mahima Gadi, the cremation place of Mahima Gosain.

The Mahima Sanyasis use to arrange a big Yagnya or Havan for World Peace (ବିଶ୍à­± ଶାନ୍ତି) and offers ghee to the Haven Kund by reciting "Mahima Alekha".


* All these photographs are taken by Tarani Trotter and placed here with his permission.

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