By Gauranga das
The first Mega kirtan festival at Jagannatha Puri ‘Chant for Change’ attracted more than 10,000 people on the idyllic and historic sea beach at Jagannatha Puri.Held very near Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhus beachside statue at Swargadwar,the festival had the crowds chanting ,dancing and drowning in the nectar of Harinam Sankirtana.It was held on July 17 th, a day before the first Navakalebar Rath Yatra festival to offer a prayer to Their Lordships to bestow Their mercy to fill everyone’s hearts with feelings of gratitude and selfless servitude,individually and globally.
The stage for the event was a beautiful Pandal erected on the sands of the Oceanside beach against the backdrop of a beautiful deities of Jagannatha Baladev and Subhadra.There was an accompanying LED screen displaying appropriate Darshans and themes as per the Kirtana.
The event began at 4.30 pm with melodious Kirtana led by H G Swaroop Damodar prabhu from the Middle East.He mesmerised the audience with some intense ragas and the Harer Nam Eva kevalam song.
As the crowd reached its peak by 6 pm H H Lokanatha Swami Maharaja began a tumultuous kirtan which created an ecstatic sensation,attracting 1000’s to flood the arena chanting the holy names.He was followed by H G Kamalgopal prabhu from Mayapur whose powerful booming voice shook the ambience with joy.H H Lokanatha Swami Maharaja ended the kirtan with another hour of explosive Harinam Sankirtana which had devotees drenched and soaked with ecstasy.
The program concluded with a beautiful Odissi dance performance on Dasahavataar performed by local artists.Khichadi Prasadam was distributed continuously throughout the duration of the festival.
On the request of the Local GBC ,H H Bhaktipurushottama Swami Maharaja,this is now declared as an annual event which will be held one day before the Jagannatha Rath Yatra day on the evening of Gundicha Marjanam day to commemorate the glory of Harinam Sankirtana which cleanses the mirror of our hearts.
The next Chant for Change or Kirtan se Parivartana program will be held at Jagannatha Puri at the same venue on July 5th 2016, where we invite more devotees to join the celebrations.
– Gauranga Das
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