Berhampur: The revered Mahendragiri hill shrine in Odisha’s Gajapati district is all set to host the nine-day Mahendra Purushottam Mela and Maha Yajna from June 1 to June 9.
Elaborate arrangements have been made to accommodate an expected gathering of nearly 3 lakh devotees, saints and spiritual leaders from across Odisha and other states.
The entire Mahendragiri region is buzzing in religious fervour as pilgrims have started arriving for the annual spiritual congregation.
A grand Kalash Yatra, featuring thousands of women devotees, will mark the opening of the mela, while the Maha Yajna and other religious rituals will commence in a ceremonial manner on Tuesday.
Reviewing preparations at the venue, Odisha Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said extensive facilities have been arranged, including temporary accommodation for around 5,000 devotees, drinking water supply, sanitation facilities, healthcare services, illumination, and battery-operated vehicles to transport pilgrims from the parking area to the yajna site.
He said all departments of the district administration are fully geared up for the smooth conduct of the event.
The mela will feature a series of spiritual and religious programmes, including Bhagavad Gita and Ramcharitmanas recitations, Nama Yajna, Ghrita Yajna, Anna Yajna, Akhanda Nama Sankirtan, and other devotional activities. Cultural programmes will also be organised every evening during the festival.
Special committees have been formed and volunteers deployed for crowd management, distribution of prasad, health services and maintenance of law and order. Parking facilities have been created at Burkhat, from where battery-operated vehicles will ferry visitors to the mela grounds.
Significantly, this is the first time that a Maha Yajna and mela are being organised at Mahendragiri during the sacred Purushottam Maas, making the event even more special for devotees and local residents. Religious leaders associated with the event said conducting a yajna during Purushottam Maas at a holy site like Mahendragiri is considered highly auspicious and beneficial for the welfare of humanity.
Local residents have extended their support and pledged to assist devotees throughout the festival, so that they have a memorable and spiritually enriching experience.
