The 23rd Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) was conducted today at Joranda, the place where the epicentre of the Mahima Cult is situated.
Joranda is an auspicious pilgrimage site for followers of the Mahima Cult (Dharma), a spiritual movement that originated in Odisha, long ago.
Joranda is 25 km away from Dhenkanal district headquarters, known for its sacred monastery and temple dedicated to “Mahima Gosain”. The Joranda Ashram is the headquarters of the Mahima Dharma movement and attracts devotees from all over India.
The heritage enthusiasts were welcomed at Joranda with flower bouquets by members from Jornda Anchalika Bikash Samiti, Joranda Sahitya Sambad Ghara, Joranda Absaraprapta Karmachari Sangha, represented by Anandi Charan Mohanty, Sukanta Kumar Bala and Sushanta Dash.
Then Baba Nityananda Dash of Bada Matha of Balakaldhari Samaj briefed about the origin of Mahima Cult, Mahima Gosain’s stay at Joranda, Mahima Cult’s ideology and how it is much more relevant in today’s world. Heritage Enthusiasts visited Niti Mandir, Gadi Mandir, Sunya Mandir, Akhanda Dhuni Mandir and other monasteries. In the end, Baba treated them with Bhikhya Prasad to all participants of the heritage walks. He also spoke about Mahaprayan of Mahima Gosain and about Magha Mela.
As per Bala Nityananda Dash “Mahima Cult, a spiritual movement that originated in Odisha, in the 19th Century, emphasizes the worship of a single, formless God, known as “Alekh Brahma” or “Mahima.” He gave a brief overview of the Mahima Cult and its significance in today’s context.
“Mahima Cult advocates for the worship of a single, formless God, rejecting idolatry and polytheism. The movement emphasizes spiritual practices like meditation, prayer, and self-discipline to attain spiritual enlightenment”, he added.
He also added that Mahima Cult’s emphasis on a formless God and spiritual practices resonates with people from diverse backgrounds, making it a universal and inclusive philosophy.
“Mahima Cult is an integral part of Odisha’s cultural heritage, and its preservation and promotion can help safeguard the state’s rich cultural legacy.
By exploring Mahima Cult’s significance in today’s context, we can appreciate its timeless wisdom, cultural importance, and potential to inspire positive change in society,” he observed.
He further said, “These locations are not only significant for their spiritual importance but also for their natural beauty and cultural heritage and connection with nature.”
Around 30 heritage enthusiasts participated in this walk from Dhenkanal, Angul, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, and were led by the convenor of Dhenkanal Heritage Walks Suresh Prasad Mishra. Prominent among them who joined today’s walk, include District Journalist Association president Prasanna Kumar Pattanaik, ace photographers Subrata Bala and Hrudananda Behera, Naranayan Pattanaik, Bipin Pani and students of Dhenkanal College.
