Odia Books

Kanhai Khuntia was a Vaishnava poet of odisha born in the Khuntia sevaka family who are traditional servants in the temple of Lord Jagannath. He was renowned by the time Chaitanya came to odisha in 1509. Srichaitanya charitamrita tells us that Kanhai Khuntia and Jagannatha Mohanti played the roles of Nanda and Yashoda respectively in the ‘Nandotsava’. The date of his birth can be. approximately fixed between 1455-1460.

Kanhai Khuntia composed a poem on Krishnalila. His book entitled Mahabhavaprakasha describes Radha as ‘Mahabhavamayi’ who had originated from the ‘Mahateja’. The book identifies Sri Jagannatha with Sri
Krishna. The book also speaks of some historical events including the Kanchi expedition of king
Pursusottamadeva, the sudden invasion of Hussain Shah, the Sultan of Bengal of the temple of Lord
Jagannath and the transportation of the idol to ‘Gadakokala’ on the Chilka Lake. Kanhai Khuntia probably died between 1540 and 1550 after the death of Chaitanya.

Odia Books By Kanhai Khuntia

Mahabhavaprakasha
Mahabhavamayi
Mahateja