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Magha Purnima celebrated with great fervour

Staff Reporter

BERHAMPUR : The devotees of the `Mahima Sect' celebrated `Magha Purnima' at the Alakh Jyoti temple at Ambapua on the outskirts of the city on Friday morning.

The followers believe that this caste and creedless sect of worshippers of an omnipresent formless God was established centuries back by Mahima Gosein on this day. The followers of this sect that includes both householders and sanyasis are found throughout the state. The main function to mark the day is held at Joranda in Dhenkanal district.

The devotees of the sect from south Orissa, who could not travel to Joranda reached the Alakh Jyoti temple at Ambapua for the ritualistic celebration of Magha Purnima.

Long history

This temple of Mahima sect situated on a hillock was established more than 150 years back. Sadhu Satybrata Das conducted the rituals at this temple. The celebrations started from Thursday evening. Throughout the night the devotees led by Sadhu Satyabrata prayed before the `holy fire' that is worshipped at all temples of Mahima sect and sang Bhajans of great Oriya poet of Mahima sect, Bima Bhoi.

At the first moments of dawn on Friday, Sadhu Satyabrata invoked the formless almighty standing before the gates of the temple amidst cheers of the devotees.

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