Famous Joranda Mela kicks off at Mahima Gadi in Odisha’s Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal: The famous Joranda Mela or Magha Mela kicked off at Mahima Gadi, the seat of Mahima sect at Joranda in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district here today. A huge crowd is being anticipated as the three-day festival is being conducted with public participation after a gap of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic

This is the 150th Prabhupurnima Utsav to be celebrated at the gadi. While the characteristic rituals of cleaning the temple premises have already begun, the  lighting of the Jhada Deepa (sacred lamp) will take place by the Kaupindhari and Bakaldhari sadhus at 5.40 pm.

This year, conduct of the mela was surrounded by uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict between the two sects but the stalemate was resolved after intervention of the district administration and people’s representatives. Sources said over three lakh devotees are expected this year from Nepal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh, most of whom have started arriving since last week.

Meanwhile, official sources informed that the district administration has put all arrangements in place including public amenities like toilets, drinking water, etc. Security too has been beefed up to manage the crowd and ensure smooth conduct of the mela.