Bhima Bhoi was an eminent saint and poet of
Orissa. He promoted a religious sect called ‘Mahima Dharma’. This sect regards
Lord Brahma as the only complete and supreme god. Its principles are derived from the ancient Indian texts like the Vedas and the
Upanishads.
Bhima Bhoi was born in a poor family. He was an ordinary illiterate person working as a cowherd and daily laborer. He was blessed by a saint called Mahima Swami, who had established ‘Mahima Dharma.’ This saint’s blessing instilled in Bhima the power to read, write and compose poems, which enabled him to compose devotional songs in the common man’s language. These songs brought forth the essence and meaning of the ancient texts in a very simple manner.
