By Arobinda Mohanty
The last day of holy month Magha, known as Magha Purnima. The speciality of this day is observation of different festivals in a single day.
Gaja Uddharana Vesa (ଗଜଉଦ୍ଧାରଣ ବେଶ)
In Shree Mandir Puri, Mahapravu Shree Jagannath, Badathakura Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra Decorated in Gaja Udharana coustume. The coustume is so much attractive. The huge Crown and the custume is must watch once in a lifetime. Shree Mahapravu Decorated in Chaturbhuja Narayana rupa and holding Shri Devi Mahalaxmi in his lap. Badathakura Balabhadra seated in a Padestal in Chaturbhuja Sankarsana form and Devi Subhadra holding a Lotus bud in two hand. Below the Ratna Singhasana the Gaja Udharana scene made. The Elephant king holding a Lotus and Praying to Lord to save him from the trap of crocodile Nakra.
“ଗଜରାଜ ଚିନ୍ତାକଲା ଥାଇ ଘୋର ଜଳେଣ
ଚକ୍ର ପେଶୀ ନକ୍ର ନାଶୀ ଉଦ୍ଧାରିଲେ ଆପଣ।”
Joranda Mela (ଯୋରନ୍ଦା ମେଳା)
Joranda mela is celebrated by mainly Mahima Dharma people in Joranda Gadi in Dhenkanal District of Odisha. The temple is dedicated to the supreme lord. The followers of mahima dharma worship him as Sunya Brahma or the shapeless form of lord. No idol worship is permitted in this sect. The temple is dedicated to the supreme lord. Mahima Dharma teaches belief in a single God (Parambrahma or the supreme-soul who is formless and omnipresent) named Alekh. The best thing is the religion is essentially monotheistic in nature. Mahima religion strictly opposes the caste system and idol worship. The religion strictly forbids adultery, the consumption of any intoxicants, violence, and the consumption of any flesh.
Agni Utsav Purnima (ଅଗିରା ପୁନେଇଁ, ଅଗିଜଳା ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା)
Agni Utsav or Agira Purnima is mainly celebrated by farmers of Odisha. This is the second Abahana of God Agni. It is the ending day of Winter season and beginning of Spring season. These period, the harvesting of rice is completed and winter going to end so it is the time of celebration. In entry point and in ending of village the villagers make two huge heap of straws. After puja the heap will burned. The falling direction of burned heap help them to predict about their crops in the coming year. The charming thing is the burning of vegetables specially Potato and Brinjal. The taste is much better than regular burnt vegetables. The sound of burnt Gila (ଗିଲ) a seed of a plant is more attractive than any firecrackers.
Jay Jagannath Mahaprabhu.
Jay Mahaprabhu Lingaraja.