An artiste performs at the bhajan sammelan in Bhubaneswar.Telegraph picture

Guhari — a three-day bhajan sammelan (congregation) — in the capital city saw devotees of Lord Jagannath thronging the Bhanja Kala Mandap to immerse themselves in devotional spirit by singing religious hymns and chanting the Lord’s name.

The event, organised by the Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, concluded on Thursday evening.

The singers rendered some of the most popular bhajans that has been sung over the years in praise of Lord Jagannath. The devotional journey began with vocalist Laxmikant Palit and his group. Palit’s Guhari aetiki mahabahu go and one of Bhakta Salabega’s famous bhajans, Kene gheni jauchha Jagannathanku, transported the listeners to a spiritual world.

Sourav Nayak rendered Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra’s famous song Sabathiru banchita kari keun jasabaana udaiba he.

His other song, Satthiye paiti bhagaru tamaru, was equally appreciated by the audience.

On Tuesday, in the first evening of the congregation, bhajan singers Sushanta Panda rendering Jagannath he kichhi maagu nahi tate and Kahare kiye se sabuja nila akashe regaled the audience. Moreover, Bidyut Prabha Palit with his Guhari suno bhagabana and Kede sundara disuchi mo chaka aakhi escalated the devotional atmosphere at the auditorium to a new height.

On the second day, a bhajan penned by Achyutananda and sung by Arjun Samal regaled the crowd. Through the song, Nilagiri Jagannath charane shwarana, the writer tried to express his love and gratitude towards the Lord. Samal’s another rendition, Dinabandhu he, was equally soulful.

The devotional voyage was not only about expressing love and admiration for the Lord. Few songs such as Tume dinabandhu mo bandhu nahele mo bandhu heba ke and Badhila jani khyama also showed their anger and dejection towards Jagannath for his indifference towards His devout.

“Because of personal reasons, I could not visit Puri, and therefore, decided to attend the bhajan evenings here. The singers sang so beautifully that I felt closer to my Lord. You never feel tired listening to such soul-stirring jananas,” said Sabitri Panigrahi, a listener.

If you are unable to make a trip to Puri for the return journey of the holy trinity on Friday, tune in to these evergreen Odia bhajans sung in praise of the Lord:

Nimai Harichandan’s Patita janaku uddhariba paain udauachha pataka, bahu teki tumbhe basi thau thau bipatti paruchhi daka maprabhu he… and Bohu chali najanai lo pada padu thai banka

2) Bhikari Bal’s Kotha bhoga khia mo chakaakhia…. and Mana parare Srikshetre udi udi jibu…

3) Akshaya Mohanty’s Kene gheni jauchha Jagannathanku anbhe drasana karibu kahaku and Ekato bhakata jibana bhakata nimante tora sankha chakre chinha...

4) Sikandar Alam’s Patitapabana bana au kete belaku… bhasigali bhabajale nabadiya kulaku… and Brundabane ke banshi bajaila eka Radha Radha nama gaila...

5) Arabinda Muduli’s Bhagyethile Nagarjuna beshaku dekhiba… and Hey prabhu kaibalya tirtha karunara nahin…

If you are a movie buff and an ardent follower of Lord Jagannath, check out these films:

Sri Jagannath (new and old), Nilamadhaba, Bandhu Mohanty, Bhakta Salabega, Jayadeba (new and old) and Manika