Joranda Mela Festival Odisha – Spiritual Gathering & Cultural Tours with Alternative Tours
Joranda Mela is one of the most unique spiritual gatherings in Odisha, celebrated every year at Joranda, a village located about 24 km north of Dhenkanal town and around 100 km from Bhubaneswar. The festival takes place at JorandaGadi Monastery, the seat of the Mahima Dharma sect founded by MahimaGosain.
With Alternative Tours, you don’t just attend a festival – you live it.
Suggested Program-
Includes the visit of Joranda Monastery, exploring the textile village of Nuapatna, and experiencing the Dhokra craft village of Sadeibareni.
The program could also incorporate a stay at Dhenkanal – Palace, stunning historic structure that captures the splendor of a bygone era.Today, the palace is a museum that highlights the rich history and culture of the area.
Dhenkanal Palace is a heritage residence of the former royal family of Dhenkanal. Nestled against the backdrop of a wooded hill and overlooking the town, the palace is an oasis of charm and tranquility.
Alternative Tours India offers a thoughtfully curated program to explore the sacred Joranda Mela (also known as MaghaMela or the Sadhu Festival) along with cultural and heritage highlights around Dhenkanal.
Dhenkanal provides a wide variety of tourist attractions, such as historical landmarks, scenic
landscapes, and cultural encounters.
Dhenkanal is also known for its traditional handicrafts, including Dokra casting, brass/bell metal work, and home work.
JORANDA
Located in Dhenkanal district of Odisha, Joranda is the religious headquarters of MahimaDharma .
Mahima Dharma is based around the worship of a formless God, Alekh.
Joranda Monastery- The monastery is open throughout the year for people to visit .
Joranda Monastery is located roughly 95 kilometers from Bhubaneswar.
Photography – Allowed inside Monasteries.
JorandaMela – A Spiritual Gathering of Mahima Sadhus
Joranda Festival 2026 – will be held on January 31st and February 1st.
The highlight of the festival is the worship of 12-foot holy fire stand, which is thought to be the best means of achieving world peace and harmony.
The Supreme Sadhus offer prayers to the sacred fire and carry out intricate ceremonies.
A huge number of MahimaSanyasis (ascetics), devotees, monks, and pilgrims take part in JorandaMela to worship MahimaGosain’s Samadhi Pitha (shrine) in SunyaMandir (temple). The temple in Odisha was built in the early 20th century; however, the shrine existed since the fourteenth century
The Sadhus/Holy-men of the Mahima cult is divided into three categories:
- Primary – Also referred as GruhaTyagi, These are the disciple of the Supreme Sadhus , wearing two piece of Saffron coloured cotton cloth.
- Secondary – After 12 years of dedication , the disciple of the Supreme Sadhus are then graduated from Primary to Secondary stage, wearing extremely skinny, saffron-colored clothing tied around the waist with an organic rope to just cover the lowest portion of their privates. They are referred as KaupuniDhari.
- Supreme – Wearing only two pieces of tree bark and referred as BakalaDhari, the secondary sadhus are promoted to supreme sadhus after another 12 years of dedication. They also have long, matted hair, typically over 2 meters long.
The temple is dedicated to the supreme lord as SunyaBramha, the shapeless lord.
No image worship is done inside the temple. The great saint had ignited a perennial flame called the ‘AkhandaDhuni’ at Joranda, which continues to burn till today.
TEXTILE VILLAGE AT NUAPATNA-
As you enter Nuapatna village, the rhythmic clatter of looms will welcome you. This village is renowned for its Ikat weaving – a labor-intensive dye-resist technique that produces intricate patterns and vibrant motifs. Here, weaving is not just a livelihood, but a living tradition passed down through generations.
Walk through the narrow lanes and step into the humble homes of master weavers, many of whom have received national and state awards for their craftsmanship. Witness every stage of the Ikat process – tying, dyeing, and weaving – and gain a deeper understanding of the skills involved. Visitors can also purchase authentic handwoven textiles directly from the artisans, making this a wonderful opportunity to support local craftsmanship.
SADEIBARENI DHOKRA CRAFT
Extend your day tour with a short drive to Sadeibareni, another craft village near Dhenkanal. This village is famous for Dhokra metal casting, an ancient tribal art form using the lost-wax technique. Interact with Dhokra artisans and see how they create intricate figurines, tribal deities, and utility items from bell metal-each a one-of-a-kind piece.
Joranda Festival is one of the famous festivals held annually at Joranda, Dhenkanal district, Odisha on the full moon day of Hindu calendar month of Magha (MaghaPurnima) which falls in the month January or February.
With Alternative Tours, your Dhenkanal journey becomes more than just a festival visit – it transforms into a royal, cultural, and spiritual experience. Our Dhenkanal day tours can be customized for individuals, photographers, textile lovers, and cultural explorers. Come with curiosity and leave with unforgettable memories.