Dhenkanal, Feb. 4 -- 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 interve...