Dhenkanal: The 41st edition of Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) on Sunday explored Tapoban where Mahima Swami, the founder of the Mahima Dharma, practised penance (sadhana).
Mahima Dharma is the only indigenous religion sect to have originated from the soil of Utkal (Odisha). It emerged in the early 19th Century, founded upon a new tradition of worshiping the ‘Shunya’ (the Void/Absolute). Shrimad Raghunath Baba, the head of Tapoban Mahima Ashram, provided the participants with detailed information about the ashram and its various festivals.
This religion was propagated based on the vision of a pure, monotheistic faith—specifically the doctrine of the oneness of the Supreme Being (Brahmaikavada)—realized through the creation of a society free from blemish and devoid of distinctions based on caste, creed, or social hierarchy, fostering instead a spirit of harmonious coexistence.
Mahima Swami, the proponent of this faith, appeared in Puri in 1826 and spent some time raising public awareness about his new ideology; in 1832, he commenced rigorous spiritual penance (“sadhana”) amidst the scenic natural beauty of the Kapilas mountain range in Dhenkanal. After twenty-four years of spiritual practice, having attained enlightenment, he formally propagated the Mahima Dharma in 1862.
Raghunath Baba revealed that during the first 12 years of this penance, Sadananda Sabar of Kadua village (located at the foothills) supplied fruits to Mahima Swami for sustenance, while during the final 12 years, the then-king of Dhenkanal provided cow’s milk.
He stated that, following extensive analysis of sources such as Achyutananda’s Malika, Sridhar Swami’s commentaries, and the various writings of Bhima Bhoi—and with the collaboration of many learned researchers—this site was identified as the place where Mahima Swami performed his penance; consequently, an Akhanda Bati (Eternal Lamp) temple and an ashram were established here in 1981.
Mahima Dharma is a source of pride and glory not only for Dhenkanal, but for the entire State of Odisha. The faith’s message—”alleviating the boundless suffering of living beings”—now resonates on the global stage. However, there is a lack of a permanent, paved road for accessing this holy site. It was observed during discussions that if the district administration and local politicians paid even a little attention to this matter, this significant and sacred site could gain wider recognition and reach a broader audience.
Under the convenor-ship of Suresh Prasad Mishra, participants of DHW took part in the trail, while Prashant Kumar Mohapatra, secretary of the Tapoban Management Trust, coordinated the entire event. Many ascetics from the ashram were also present on the occasion and performed Mahima bhajans.