Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama – Nine Islands of Navadvipa Dhama and Pastimes on these transcendental islands
Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama – Nine Islands of Navadvipa Dhama and Pastimes on these transcendental islandsSRI NAVADVIPA MANDALA PARIKRAMA NINE ISLANDS OF SRI NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA and PASTIMES ON THESE TRANSCENDENTAL ISLANDS Sri Navadvipa-Mayapur Dhama is beautifully situated on the banks of the Ganges. Every island is separated a tributary of Ganges river. On each of these islands Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates performed Theirtranscendental pastimes. Later Vaishnava Acaryas – Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, Gaura Kisora Babaji, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Jagannatha Das Babaji,Vasudeva Dutta and others spent several years of their lives here discussing the pastimes of Gaura and Nitai. These islands are accessible by boat. There are scattered forests and orchards filled with mango, jackfruit, bael and pomegranate trees. As well as many banana patches and flowering beds filled with varieties of birds. The winding paths and roadways lead to many villages where the inhabitants always speak the names of Gauranga and Nityananda. Sri Navadvipa Dhama Map Island I: “SRI ANTARDWIPA” (represents: atma- YOGAPITHA, The Birthplace of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: · Birthplace of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; · Neem tree where Lord Caitanya appeared. Next to the tree is a small hut with the Deities of Jagannatha Misra (father) and Sacimata (mother) holding baby Nimai on lap; · Deities of Gaura-Gadadhara and Laksmi-Nrs · Gaura-Kunda, on the side of the Temple, has been compared in its glories to Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda in Vrindavana. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura excavated it in 1920; · Two Siva-lingas – Gopisvara Siva w Deities of Sri Jagannath Misra, the father and Mother Saci holding baby Nimai in “Yogapitha”, the house they lived SRIVAS ANGAN, The Birthplace of Harinama Sankirtana: · This is the “Birthplace of Harinama Sankirtana”. Lord Caitanya danced in the bliss of Kirtana with His eternal associates at Srivasa Angan the rasa-stha · This place is also known as “Khol banga danga”, the place where mrdanga was broken by Chand Kazi to stop Harinama Sankirtana. This is the house of Srivasa Pandita, eternal associate of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This is also the birthplace of “Harinama sankirtana” SRI CAITANYA MATH: SRI SRI RADHA-GANDHARVIKA-GIRI jaya gandharvika-giridhari gan (saraswatir prana-dhana he) “All glories to Gandharvika and Giridhari, the treasure of Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thak Places to see in Sri Caitanya Math: · Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Samadhi and Bhajan Kutir; Sri SriRadha Gandharvika-Girid SRI MURARI GUPTA’S HOUSE: THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI SITA-RAMA, LAKSHMAN, HANUMAN Sri Murari Gupta was a very intimate associate whose pastimes with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were steeped in the loving bond of their eternal relationship. He was dear to Lord Caitanya as Hanuman was dear to Lord Ramacandra. SRI MAYAPUR CHANDODAYA MANDIR, ISKCON MAYAPUR: · Sri Sri Radha-Madhav · Srila Prabhupada Puspa-samadhi Templ · Srila Prabhupada Bhajan-kutir – Srila Prabhupada stayed here from 1972-76. 24 hr Kirtana takes place here following Srila Prabhupada’s instruction that there be continuous chanting of the Holy Name in the dhama, · Gurukul and MIHET (Mayapur Institute of Higher Education and Training), · Goshala THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI RADHA-MADHAVA, ISKCON Mayapur SRI PANCA-TATTVA: Lord Krishna Caitanya surrounded (from left to right) by His avatara (SriAdvaita Acarya LORD NRSIMHADEVA HIS DIVINE GRACE A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI SRILA PRABHUPADA, Founder-Acarya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Sri Isodhyan: This is Nandana Acarya’s house. This is the house where Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda met for the first time. Sri Advaita Bhavan: This is famous as the place where Sri Advaita Acharya’s loud heart-felt calls to the Lord, compelled Him to appear as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and inaugurate theSankirtana mission. Sri Gadadhara Angan: Gadadhara Pandita has been described as an incarnation of Srimati Radharani’sdyuti (effu Island II: “SRI SIMANTADWIPA” (represents: sra Chand Kazi Samadhi: Chand Kazi was the Chief Magistrate of Navadvipa. He was a devout and strict Muslim and he oppressed Hindus in their religious practices. Angry that Hindus were not obeying his order forbidding Kirtana, Chand Kazi Understanding the plight of devotees, Caitanya Mahaprabhu called everyone together and told them, “I shall perform sankirtana in every town and village. Therefore decorate all the streets and houses of the city and then gather in the evening carrying torchlights. Let us see what kind of Kazi comes to stop ourKirtana.” Champaka tree at Chand Kazi Samadhi witnessed this pastime with the Lord. Even though truck of this tree is hallow, it is still in full bloom and gives champakaflowers all year round, even when it is not flowering season. Champaka tree at Chand Kazi Samadhi. Even though truck of this tree is hallow, it is still in full bloom and gives champaka flowers all year round, even when it is not flowering season. KOLAVECHA SRIDHARA’S PLACE: Kolaveca Sridhara is an eternal associate of Lord Caitanya and is very dear to Him. He is known as Kolaveca Sridhara because he made his living by selling kola(banana) leaves, plants, stalks and plates. He was so poor that he lived in a broken down hut and did not even had proper utensils for cooking. Despite his impoverished condition, Sridhara faithfully spent 50% of his earnings to worship Ganga. He was constantly engrossed in chanting Lord’s Holy Names. He chanted loudly all night. This upset his atheistic neighbours who complained, “That poor vagabond cannot fill his belly during day and now he is keeping us awake at night with his pangs of hunger.” Sridhara always charged fair price for his products but this did not prevent Nimai from arguing and fighting with him to get His goods for half price or free. “I am sure you have immense wealth hidden somewhere and that you are relishing opulent food in secret”, accused Lord. “Soon I will make this known to everyone and then we will see how you are cheating people”. “Come to my house dear learnedbrahmana,” invited Sridhara, “and see for Yourself. We should not start argument here.” Nimai countered, “I am not going to let you off so easily. Tell Me what you are going to feed Me.” “I make a simple living selling leaf cup,” replied Sridhara, “What can I offer You from such an income, respected brahmana?” “I am not going to touch your hidden wealth now,” assured Nimai, “but if you give Me some banana roots and stalks rights now for free, then I will not fight with you anymore.” Sridhara decided it would be his good fortune to give this restless and insolentbrahmana some goods free despite his own poor condition. “Dear brahmana” he said “please take banana and stalks that I have, but please do not fight anymore.” “Yes this is a good agreement” said Nimai “There should be no further fights, but please see to it that I get good quality banana” At other times Nimai would grab some of Sridhara’s wares but give only ½ price. Sridhara would then snatch goods back out of Nimai’s hands and another argument would start. Sridhara would tell “Are there not other suppliers besides me? Please purchase from them at a cheaper price.” Nimai would reply “I cannot give up such a steady supplier as you so easily.” Nimai would sometimes tell him that He was the source of Ganga whom he worshiped so faithfully. Sridhara would cover his ears and cry out “Krishna, Krishna!” Sridhara captivated by Lord’s charm and beauty could not recognize that Nimai was actually the worshipable Lord of his heart. Lord received immense joy from these love-fights and would not let a day pass without visiting His dear devotee. Lord Caitanya revealed His supreme form as Krishna in Vrindavana with Radharani during His maha-prakasa pastime at Srivasa Pandita’s house. Mahaprabhu told him, “You have spent many lifetimes in My service and in this lifetime you have rendered Me ample service. I have tasted you kola countless times and often snatched things from your hands. Have you forgotten joking exchanges we had?” Sridhara swooned and became unsteady in intense ecstasy. He then prayed that pastimes and lotus feet of insolent brahmana who continually stole his kola always be manifested in his heart.” KOLAVECHA SRIDHARA’S HUT “I cannot give up such a steady supplier as you so easily.”-Nimai RAJAPUR JAGANNATHA TEMPLE: Several very important pastimes with Lord Jagannatha took place here. THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI JAGANNATHA, BALADEVA, SUBDHARA Island III: “SRI GODRUMADWIPA” (represents: kir SRI NRSIMHAPALLI: This is place famous since Satya-yuga when Lord Nrsimhadeva came to rest here after killing Hiranyakasipu. Next to the Temple is a lake left behind by MandakaniRiver that flowed here at that time. When Lord Nrsimhadeva arrived here, He drank the sweet waters of this river to refresh Himself and also washed the blood ofHiranyakasipu from His hands. LORD NRSIMHADEVA AT NRSIMHAPALLI TEMPLE. THIS DEITY DATES BACK TO SATYA-YUGA HARI-HARA KSHETRA: Lord Siva is the topmost Vaishnava and is constantly rendering service to Lord Krishna. Srimad-Bhagavatam describes that after killing some demons, Lord Krishna’s sudarsana chakra bur HARI-HARA (CENTRE), HALF-VISNU, HALF-SIVA AMA GHATA: Once while performing Kirtana, Lord Caitanya noticed the devotees becoming tired. He stopped the Kirtana and planted a mango seed in the ground at this spot. Within minutes, a huge mango tree grew covered in big, beautiful, red and yellow mangoes that had no skin or seeds. Caitanya Mahaprabhu picked around 200 mangoes, one for each devotee. He washed them and offered all to Krishna. Gaurasundara then ate one mango and after washing His hands, distributed the rest to devotees. AMA-GHATA – the mango tree planted by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu for the pleasure of His dear devotees during Harinam Sankirtana SUVARNA BIHAR GAUDIYA MATH: Palace ruins of Satya-yuga King Sena and devotee who served as Buddhimata Khan in Gaura-lila. Beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava also reside here. Holy Stones from Golden Age at Suvarna Bihar Gaudiya Matha SVANANDA SUKHADA KUNJA: House were Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura lived. There are also the Deities of Gaura-Gadadhara which His Divine Grace worshiped. Gaura-kishora Dasa Babaji bhaj SRI SRI GAURA-GADADHARA, the Deities worshiped by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura at his house SURABHI KUNJA: Surabhi cow resides here eternally. Wonderful pastimes related to Markendaya Rsialso took place here. This is also the place where Lord Nityananda established the headquarters for His nama-hatta preaching. SURABHI KUNJ: HH Janananda Goswami performing drama Island IV: “SRI MADHYADWIPA” (represents: smar HAMSA-VAHANA: The Temple has Deity of Lord Siva residing on Lord Brahma’s swan carrier NAIMISARANYA FOREST: Most-auspicious place where Lord Siva, Saunaka Rsi and other sages heard Gaura-Bhagavatam, the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu from Suta Gosvami. BRAHMANA PUSKARA: There are interesting pastimes took place with a Brahmana who wanted to visitPuskara in Rajasthan but was told by Lord Brahma that original Puskara is in Navadvipa. . KURUKSHETRA: This is the site of Kurukshetra. Currently this is encroached by a local brick making factory. PANCAVENI and GAURANGA-SETU (bridge): Place where 5 rivers Alaknanda, Mandakini, Yamuna, Manasi Ganga, and Sarasvaticonfluence with Ganga. Gauranga-Setu and Pancaveni Island V: “SRI KOLADWIPA” (represents: pad-se SRI DHAMESVARA MAHAPRABHU BARI TEMPLE: The Deity of Lord Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu at Sri Dhameswar Mahaprabhu Temple is very special. This beautiful neem Deity of Gauranga Mahaprabhu is the original Deity that Srimati Visnupriya, wife of Lord Gauranga worshiped for 80 years after Lord Caitanya took sannyasa. Srimati Visnupriya was sixteen years old when Gauranga Mahaprabhu left and she worshiped this Deity as her husband until she passed away at the age of ninety-six. The Deity’s hands reach forward with upraised palms, a pose indicating, “I am yours.” The Deity is called as Sri DhameswarMahaprabhu. There are also wooden shoes, which were worn by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He gave them to Srimati Visnupriya, which she worshipped until she passed away. After the Lord’s acceptance of sannyasa, Srimati Visnupriya always remained within the house, with the exception of taking bath daily at the Ganges along with MotherSacidevi. When devotees went there to partake of prasadam, they saw only the feet of Visnupriya. Never did they see her face, nor hear her voice. She constantly chanted the holy name. She would place two fresh earthen pots on either side of her. One pot was empty and the other contained grains of rice. After chanting one round of Japa (108 beads) she placed one grain of rice into the empty pot. She thus continued her Japa until the third quarter of the day. Those grains which she had placed in the empty pot were then cooked and offered to the Lord with tears. Day and night she chanted the holy name: HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE H HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE ||
After the departure of Mahaprabhu, their servant, Isana Thakura looked after Mother Saci and Srimati Visnupriya. Vamsivadan Srimati Visnupriya’s reaction after hearing of Lord Gauranga’s decision to acceptsannyasa, and the words of comfort offered to her by Her husband are recorded inSri Caitanya Mangala Madhya Lila 12.1-40 by Srila Locana Das Thakura. In Sri Navadvipa-dhama Mahatmya, Lord Nityananda says, “O Jiva, hear a confidential topic. There is a very beautiful Deity of Gauranga belonging toVisnupriya, which in future will be brought to Sattika by brahmanas descen SRI DHAMESVARA MAHAPRABHU: This beautiful neem Deity of Gauranga Mahaprabhu is the Deity that Visnupriya, wife of Lord Gauranga worshiped for 80 years after Lord Caitanya took sannyasa. Samudragarh: Wonderful pastimes related to a great devotee king, Samudra Sena who with his great devotion forced Lord Krishna to appear took place here. Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Bhajana Kutir and Samadhi: Jagannatha Dasa Babaji was one of the greatest in the disciplic succession. He lived for 146 years and in later years carried in the basket. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura,Gaurakishora Dasa Baba Island VI: “SRI RITUDWIPA” (represents: arcana CHAMPAHATTI: This very special place lies in the south-western portion of Koladvipa and is non-different from Khadiravana forest in Vrindavana where Lord Sri Krishna and Balarama had many pastimes and used to rest. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has mentioned the following in his Navadvipa-bhava-taranga: “ Why Is This Place Known As Champahatti? In Sri Navadvipa-Dhama Mahatmya, Lord Nityananda tells to Jiva Goswami, “Listen son of Vallabha, there was once a champaka forest at this beautiful place which is a portion of Khadiravana in Vrindavana. Champakalata sakhi Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thak Many pastimes related to Sri Champakalata Sakhi’s grove and Srila JayadevaGoswami’s took place here. SRI SRI GAURA-GADADHARA AT CHAMPAHATTI JAYADEVA GOSWAMI’S “GITA-GOVINDA” performance by Bhakti Vedanta school, Sridham Mayapur Vidyanagara Gaudiya Matha – Trees Manifested from Lord Caitanya’s Pens: These Transcendental Trees Manifested from Pens Planted by Lord Caitanya. They Do Not Belong to Any Known Species. Botanical scientists from Kolkata have been carrying out lot of research on these trees since many years. But till-date they have not been able to identify the species to which these transcendental trees belong. TREES MANIFESTED FROM LORD CAITANYA’S PENS Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya’s house: Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya’s house and school of logic is also on this island. Hidden Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda: One can also visit hidden “Radha-kunda” and “Syama-kunda” on this island. It is said that every day exactly at noon-time Lord Caitanya Sankirtan party comes here and performs Harinam-Sankirtana. Island VII: “SRI JAHNUDWIPA” (represents: vanda Bhisma Tila: Pastimes related to Bhismadeva took place here. Transcendentalists sharing Bhismadeva’s pastimes at Jahnudwipa Arati to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, The Presi Island VIII: “SRI MODADRUMADWIPA” (represents: d Madana-Gopala Temple and Saranga Deva Gaudiya Math: SRI SRI RADHA-GOPINATHA (Deiti SIDDHA-BAKULA TREE This is 500 years old tree. Lord Caitanya used to rest here when going home from school in Vidyanagara. One day Lord noticed the tree was dying so He embraced it, giving it a new life. Today, over 500 years later, although the tree is completely hollow inside, it is still growing in full bloom. MAMGACHHI – Birthplace of SRI VRINDAVANA DAS THAKUR: A great Vaishnava acarya Sri Vrindavana Das Thakura was the last initiated disciple of Lord Nityananda and author of Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. The Life and Pastimes of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are very elaborately described in Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. He took initiation at the age of 16. He was the dear-most disciple of Lord Nityananda. This is also the ancestral home of Malini Devi, the wife of SrivasaPandita. SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA’S BIRTH-SITE Vasudeva Datta’s house: Vasudeva Datta was a very liberal Vaisnava who would spent all his money for the worship of his beloved Deity, Madana Gopala, without any consideration of future expenses in spite of the difficulties for his family. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has such affection for Vasudeva Datta, He vowed on 3 separate occasions that He belonged to Vasudeva Datta. He would say, “I am only Vasudeva Datta’s man. My body is meant only to please Vasudeva Datta and he can sell me anywhere.” VASUDEVA DUTTA’S HOUSE Island IX: SRI RUDRADWIPA (represents: sakhya Belpukura, the House of Saci Mata, Mother of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: House of Sacimata’s father Nilambara “SRI SRI MADANA-GOPALA” -1700 years old very beautiful Deities of Lord Sri Krishna at Belpukara, house of Sacimata Sankarpura: Lord Caitanya tells Sankarachraya to leave Navadvipa. Nidaya Ghata: This ghata is where Lord Caitanya crossed Ganga to go to Katwaand receive sannyasa from Kesava B SRIDHAM MAYAPUR BANNER AT THE HIGHWAY DEVOTEES HONORING KRISHNA-PRASADAM ISKCON MAYAPUR NAMAHATTA BUILDING MEET YOUR ‘NEW’ BOSS!! SRI SRI RADHA-MADHAVA and ASTA-SAKHIS – NATABARA KRISHNA VESHA (CHANDANA YATRA) Sri Sri Radha Madhava is surrounded by Their Ashta-sakhis (eight principal gopifriends) – Sri Lalita, Sri Champakalata, Sri Chitra, Sri Tungavidya, Sri Vishaka, SriIndulekha, Sri Rangadevi and Sri Sudevi, along with Gauranga Mahaprabhu andGiri-Govardhana. The small Radha Madhava Deities in the altar goes out in procession during Ratha-yatra and other festivals like Jhulana-yatra (swing festival). These Deities also come out in procession on a chariot every Saturday afterSandhya-arati during winter from the beginning of the Kartika (Damodara) month till Gaura-Purnima. tara madhye hema-pitha, asta-d asta dale pradhana nayika tara madhye ratnasane, basi ac syama sange sundari radhika “In the midst of the golden lotus of one hundred petals, there is a golden platform surrounded by eight petals. Situated upon those eight petals are the eight principalsakhis, headed by Lalita and Visakha. On that golden platform, the Divine Couple sit upon a jewelled throne. In the company of Lord Shyama sits the beautiful Radhika.” (Srila Narottama Dasa Thakur’s THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI RADHA-MADHAVA SRI SRI RADHA-MADHAVA SRI MADHAVA’S LOTUS FEET Come to Mayapur: by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada encourages devotees to as far as possible attend the yearly Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur I mentioned to His Divine Grace that air fares will be increased next year due to the petrol shortage, and this might affect the number of devotees who attend the Gour Purnima festival. Prabhupada asked me, “How much foodstuffs have you eaten in your whole life?” Quite a lot I had to admit, not understanding why he asked this question. “And what is the cost of all these foodstuffs?” That I could not say. “So, do you stop eating because there is so much cost? No. You go on eating, and whatever is the cost, you spend. The principle is that if you have got money, then you can spend, but if you do not have money, then you cannot spend.” So as many as possible should surely come if the money is there. – Letter to Rameswar. 25 Oct 1974 SRI NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA KI JAI!!! HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE H HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE ||
yours in the service of Lord Krishna Akinchan Priya Das 9357554121 |