Spirituality

The Alekh Cult: A Religion of the Masses

The Alekh cult which is also known as Mahima Dharma (Religion of Glory) is fast acquiring the character of a religion in certain parts of central India drawing followers from the masses and as well as from the elite groups. It is said to have been originated in the later half of the 19th century from Mahima Gosain (the glorious saint) who lived in the Kapilas Hill located in the erstwhile feudatory state of Dhenkanal in Orissa. Like all other religious reform movements of the time, it emerged as a protest movement against the evils of Brahmanism. Some of the religious and philosophical tenets of Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism and Jainism were woven into the cult which gained popularity among the depressed sections of the society. The cult was based on condemnation of all religious customs and manners of the well off sections of the society. The converts to this cult numbered around 20 to 30 thousand in 1867 and their strength went on increasing further in course of time.

A number of saints and ascetics have contributed to the growth, development and propagation of the cult as a result of which it has numerous followers not only in the states of Orissa, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal in India but also in some European countries. From a folk cult of the tribal and down trodden people of the feudatory states of Orissa, it has developed into a broad based religion with devotees spread far and wide.
 
Certain myths and beliefs are associated with Mahima Gosain, the originator and his immediate follower Bhima Bhoi. The devotees attribute a good number of compliments to Mahima Gosain. He is variously known as the Lord of Glory, The Indescribable Master (Alekh Swami), the Indescribable nude saint (Alekh Abadhut) and the Great Master etc. Local traditions relate to him as a saint, who wallowed in dust, who did not take any food for 12 years while meditating on the hill-top, and then he lived on fruits for another 12 years and on milk for a further period of 12 years. He is said to have directly descended from the space and was never born unlike a human being. He is said to have started his meditation on the Himalayas before coming to Orissa.

Bhima Bhoi who belonged to Khond tribe was his ardent follower. His devotional songs are popular   not only with the followers of the religion but also with other people. He is also regarded as the saint poet and has a place among the notable Oriya poets. His works bring out the essence of his religious belief and guide the devotees in their path of meditation. A few are of the opinion that in 1875 A.D. Bhima Bhoi by a gift of divine grace himself proclaimed the novel injunctions of Mahima Dharma. He is said to have hailed from a small village Gramadiha in Rairakhol feudatory state. He took a Brahmin wife and had some children. He lived a major part of his life in the village Khaliapali in the princely state of Sonepur till his death. At present the devotees have built a beautiful temple in the village dedicated to his memory.

Beliefs and Practices

It is regarded as a non-ritualistic religion unlike the Brahminism. It despises idol worship and is said to have been based on “Visuddha advait Darshan” (pure non-dualistic philosophy). It is against the otherworldliness propagated by the Vedic Religion. The supreme Master, according to the followers, is without attributes, color, shape, destruction, beginning or end. He is identical with the void. In their temples there is no idol and there is an opening at the top on which the devotees have to focus their attention. Love for fellow beings and non-violence is the mainstay of the religion.
 
The cult has two kinds of followers, the monks and the house-holders. It is also known as Kumbhipatia religion .The founder of the religion created the first order of ninety-two monks and gave them to wear the bark of a tree known as Kumbhi. The second order of monks who wore the bark of the tree numbered more than a hundred. Subsequently, another order of monks who wore a small piece of saffron cloth at the waist (kaupini) was also admitted to the cult. As a result, depending on the type of apparel used by the monks, there are two distinct groups. The status of the monk wearing the bark of the tree is considered superior to that of the other group. They roam about the villages to propagate their religion among the house-holders. They do not believe in the Indian caste system and accept food from all. They, how ever, refrain from taking food from a king, a Brahmin-priest, barber, fallen women and a washer man. For them, the king stands for oppression, the Brahmin is the king’s associate and an idolater, and the washer man, barber and prostitutes partake of the sins of all. The followers of the religion get up early in the morning before the sun- rise and pray to the rising sun. They wear clothes of saffron color; fall flat on the ground, keeping their head straight towards the rising sun and stand up with folded hands looking at the sun repeatedly for sometime. They repeat the same practice in the afternoon praying before the setting sun. They do not take any food at night.

The Mahima Gadi Dham

The Mahima Gadi (exalted sacred abode) may be regarded as the central place of the followers of the religion. It is located in Joranda in the district of Angul in Orissa. The sacredness of the place lies in the fact that Mhaima Gosain left for his heavenly abode while in meditation in 1876 at this place. No body could trace his mortal frame as he was believed to have been directly merged with the void. It is said that the then ruling British authorities under the orders of Queen Victoria excavated the place to find out his mortal remains but failed to get any trace of them. The efforts to build a temple and a memorial ashram were initiated by the ascetics and monks from 1876. At present the Mahima Gadi Dham is located in a sprawling campus of nearly 80 acres of land. The Mahima Gadi temple, the open temple (the temple with a void at the top), the temple for fire worship and the ashram are situated at this site and a large number of pilgrims flock the campus everyday to have a darshan and worship the fire that is kept permanently ablaze. The different orders of ascetics, monks and the followers reside in the ashram and maintain the daily routine of worship. The Mahima shrines are four in number known as Gadi Mandir,Dhuni Mandir, Akhandbati Mandir and Ghanta Mandir. Women followers are not allowed to reside in the campus but they can take part in the worship and pay their holy visits to the site.

The Magha Mela (Winter Fair)
 
 The Magha Mela is celebrated every year on the full moon day in the month of Magha according to the Oriya calendar (between January and February). Devotees of the various sects of the cult offer mass prayer at the fair in Joranda. It is meant for commemorating the day on which Mahima Gosain, the godhead of the religion, attained salvation. Thousands of monks and devotees throng the place and at present the state government and the devotees are all set to host the grand occasion that will start from February16, 2011. Thousands of sadhus, sanyasins and devotees of both the sects such as the Kaupinidahri (wearing loin clothes) and the Bakaldhari (wearing the bark of tree) have been reaching Joranda to offer their prayer for world peace. The devotees pour tones of pure ghee on the sacred fire chanting “Brahma Alekh” or “Mahima Alekh”.  The Fair reflects the ideals of Mahima Gosain who envisioned a classless society free from exploitation of the weak and poor by the feudal ruling chiefs and the landed gentry. His efforts also aimed at opposing the idea of large-scale conversion of Hindus to Christianity during the British rule in India.

At the moment, Joranda, formerly a nondescript village in central Orissa, reverberates the message of love and universal brotherhood of Mahima Gosain. More and more people across the country and the globe are drawn to the cult which believes in simple living, love and compassion for the living beings and communal worship for world peace.
  

13-Feb-2011

More by :  Prof. R. N. Mishra

Top | Spirituality

Views: 4075      Comments: 7



Comment Dear sir
Please read and collect the right data from the books of mahima dharma as well as from the monks of mahima dharma. Publish the correct data and consult with the saints of mahima dharma before publishing this article. Mahima cult people never worship sun and they worship only one god mahima alekh prabhu who is parambrahma paramatma nirakara prabhu sunyabasi. A humble request to you not to pubish false data which will violate the mindset of the people.
Thanking you

Pedina Sibakrishna
22-May-2020 09:17 AM

Comment Isri sri p.c pradhan in habitant of villege KhaliberanaHindol Dhenkanal.Odisha
our family belonging from 200 years of alekha mahima family,my grand father heard from his father mahima goswain came to our villege. so our villege all member are to advice of mahima dharam.my grand father hearad one line "mahima swami said (Tume kan dharam paliba,Tumaku jane paluchi.
thank you
pc pradhan

PADMA CHARAN PRADHAN
20-Dec-2014 06:48 AM

Comment Thanks for the article.

I was born in a village called Kumbhiput, approximately 150km from Joronda, Dhenkanal. I was told by the elders that our village was established by the followers of the Alekh Dharma- Mahima Gosain. In the center of our village there is Kumbhi tree. Our village temple has a large stone without any form that represents the One God. As child I have seen followers of the Alekh Dharma- Mahima Gosain would visit our village and spend a day. They wore kaupini made of bark from the Kumbi tree. They looked like the Sadhu's photo in the article. They followed a strict ritual of worship, food and sleep.

I always wonder where I learned to be secular. Now I know it is in my gene.

Pradeep Patnaik
11-Jul-2012 17:23 PM

Comment A well written article and it touched my heart.

Manoj K bhuyan
01-Feb-2012 04:14 AM

Comment I found this article very informative. However, despite the proper good objective journalistic approach there is no discussion of the questionable origins of this departure from the Dharmic tradition of India. These adherents of this quasi-mystical path are reactionary in their view of the Vedic tradition. They certianly have been alienated by the Brahmin culture, and feel as outsiders. Unfortunately, this is not the case. They are bluntly placed in the Brahmin culture as offenders. Why? Because, out of envy and arrogance, their "Priestly" class refuses to embrace the much older, and authentic, tradition of the Vedic model. There is no question of the "Void" in Vedic knowledge. This is not a destination, but a rejection of truth in the most realized sense. Atatto Brahma Jinasa (Vedanta Sutra) is an indication that the object of our collective realization has an identity and that identity has "personhood" in the best sense of the word. The founders lack of understanding and personal realization is a very sad inheritance for their followers who will miss the joy and support of the Diety and the realm of the Diety. Krishnas Stu Bhagavan Shyam is a very important statement. The followers of this cult have a history and path of destruction of sacred temples and sites due to their ignorance and envy. Thank you for this moment to explain.

Alan Kara
08-Oct-2011 17:10 PM

Comment very nicely narrated but i was looking for their contribution to protect the Hindu religion who were forced to convert into Christianity. Thanks in advance Pradeep k Mishra

Pradeep k Mishra
22-Mar-2011 01:35 AM

Comment Very well written and informative article on Alekh Dharma. The philosophy of Bhim Bhoi and the bhajans (prayer songs) by him are liked by all. During my childhood I have met and interacted with many great saints belonging to this faith. The senior monks had extra-ordinary occult power to predict natural disasters, rain, cyclone etc. Looking at the sky and the colour pattern of the clouds at the time of sunset, the monk advised me to rush home for there will be a cyclone. I ran 1.5 km to reach home, and to my surprise as soon as I was at home there was a devastating cyclone uprooting several trees.
I love the 'bhajans' of Bhim Bhoi.

Kumarendra Mallick
17-Feb-2011 09:51 AM




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