NAVADVIPA-MANDALA PARIKRAMA / SRI MAYAPUR GAURA PURNIMA FESTIVAL 2011 - Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu Ki Jaya

SRI MAYAPUR GAURA PURNIMA FESTIVAL 2011 4 Mar Arrival of Devotees 5 Mar Festival Inauguration; HH Tamal Krishna Gosvami's Disappearance 5 - 7 Mar Panca-tattva Abhisheka of the Holy Name, Cultural programs, Sponsored Satsang Seminars, Congregational preaching Night, Book Distribution Awards 7 Mar Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Adhivasa 8 Mar Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama begins 14 Mar Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama returns to Mayapur 14 - 19 Mar Festivities and Cultural programs 15 Mar Ganga Puja; Elephant Procession, Immersion of Ashes of departed souls 16 Mar Sri Sri Radha-Madhava Boat Festival 17 Mar Santipur festival 18 Mar Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra 19 Mar GAURA PURNIMA Festival 20 Mar Jagannath Mishra's Feast 21 Mar Devotees Depart http://www.dandavats.com/?p=8790   NINE ISLANDS OF NAVADWIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA & 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 Their transcendental 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 Dham Map   Island I: "ANTARDWIPA" (represents: atma-nivedanam) Place Places of pilgrimage and their Pastimes Yoga Pitha v  Birthplace of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; v  Neem tree where Lord Caitanya appeared. Next to the tree is a small hut with the Deities of Jagannatha Misra (father) & Sacimata (mother) holding baby Nimai on lap; v  Deities of Gaura-Gadadhara and Laksmi-Nrsimhadeva installed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura; v  Gaura-Kunda, on the side of the Temple, has been compared in its glories to Radha-kunda & Syama-kunda in Vrindavana. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura excavated it in 1920; v  Two Siva-lingas - Gopisvara Siva who admits one to Lord's service. And Ksetrapala-Siva who is the protector of the dhama. It is recommended that devotees pray to these Deities at the beginning of their Parikrama that the dhama & Gaura-prema be revealed within their hearts. Srivasa Angan v  This is the "Birthplace of Harinam Sankirtan". Lord Caitanya danced in the bliss of Kirtana with His eternal associates at Srivasa Angan the rasa-sthali of Navadwipa, in the same way that Lord Sri Krishna danced with the gopis in the groves of Vraja. Srivasa Pandita represents the pure devotees of the Lord. v  This place is also known as "Khol banga danga", the place where mrdanga was broken by Chand Kazi to stop Harinam Sankirtana. Advaita Bhavan v  This is famous as the place where Advaita Acharya's loud heart-felt calls to the Lord, compelled Him to appear as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu & inaugurate the Sankirtana mission Gadadhara Angan v  Gadadhara Pandita has been described as an incarnation of Srimati Radharani's dyuti (effulgence). As young boys, Lord Caitanya and Gadadhara Pandita were inseparable but, in direct contrast to Lord Caitanya, Gadadhara Pandita was quiet and sober. Gadadhara Pandita's was always absorbed in thoughts of Krishna and always speaking Krishna-katha in the association of devotees. Sri Caitanya Matha v  Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Samadhi & Bhajan Kutir; v  Sri Sri Radha Gandharvika-Giridhari, the Deities installed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura; v  Gaura-kisora Das Babaji's Samadhi; v  Radha-kunda, Shyama-kunda; v  Candrasekhara Bhavan; v  Printing press Murari Gupta's house v  Murai 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 Rama. ISKCON Sri Krishna Mayapur Candrodaya Temple v  Sri Sri Radha-Madhava Astasakhi, Pancha-Tattva & Lord Nrsimhadeva Temple, v  Srila Prabhupada Puspa-samadhi Temple, v  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, v  Gurukul and MIHET (Mayapur Institute of Higher Education & Training), v  Goshala Isodhyan v  This is Nanda Acarya's house. This is the house where Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda met for the first time.   "YOGAPITHA", THE BIRTHPLACE OF LORD CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU: Deities of Sri Jagannath Misra, the father, and mother Sachi holding baby Nimai in the house they lived   "SRIVAS ANGAN", THE BIRTHPLACE OF HARINAMA SANKIRTAN: This is the house of Srivasa Pandita, eternal associate of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This is also the birthplace of Harinam Sankirtan   "SRI CAITANYA MATH": Sri Sri Gandharvika-Giridhari, the Deities installed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura jaya gandharvika-giridhari gandharvika-giridhari radhe (saraswatir prana-dhana he) "All glories to Gandharvika and Giridhari, the treasure of Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura's heart!" -Vaishnava song "Jaya Radha-Krishna Giti"   "SRI MURARI GUPTA'S" HOUSE: THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI SITA-RAMA, LAKSHMAN, HANUMAN   "SRI MAYAPUR CHANDODAYA MANDIR", ISKCON MAYAPUR: SRI SRI RADHA-MADHAVA   SRI PANCHA-TATTVA Lord Krishna Caitanya surrounded (from left to right) by His avatara (Sri Advaita Acarya), His expansion (Lord Nityananda), His manifest internal energy (Sri Gadadhara) & His perfect devotee (Sri Srivasa)   LORD NRSIMHADEVA   Island II: "SIMANTADWIPA" (represents: sravanam) Place Places of pilgrimage and their Pastimes Chand Kazi Samadhi Chand Kazi was the Chief Magistrate of Navadwipa. He was a devout & strict Muslim and he oppressed Hindus in their religious practices. Angry that Hindus were not obeying his order forbidding Kirtana, Chand Kazi went with 2 boats of soldiers to Srivasa Pandita's house to personally enforce his ordinance. He confiscated their instruments and broke mrdanga. He then threatened imprisonment and conversion into a Muslim for anyone who disobeyed his order again. Understanding the plight of devotees, Caitanya Mahaprabhu called everyone together & told them, "I shall perform sankirtana in every town and village. Therefore decorate all the streets & houses of the city and then gather in the evening carrying torchlights. Let us see what kind of Kazi comes to stop our Kirtana." 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 champaka flowers all year round, even when it is not flowering season. Rajapur Lord Jagannatha Temple Several very important pastimes with Lord Jagannatha took place here Kolaveca Sridhara's place Kolaveca Sridhara is an eternal associate of Lord Caitanya & is very dear to Him. He is known as Kolaveca Sridhara because he made his living by selling kola (banana) leaves, plants, stalks & 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 & 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 & then we will see how you are cheating people". "Come to my house dear learned brahmana," 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 & 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 & insolent brahmana some goods free despite his own poor condition. "Dear brahmana" he said "please take banana & 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 & 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 & 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 & 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 & 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."   "Chand Kazi Samadhi": 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: KOLAVECHA SRIDHARA'S HUT "I cannot give up such a steady supplier as you so easily."-Nimai   "RAJAPUR JAGANNATHA" TEMPLE: THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI JAGANNATHA, BALADEVA, SUBDHARA   Island III: "GODRUMADWIPA" (represents: kirtanam) Place Places of pilgrimage and their Pastimes Nrsimapalli This is famous since Satya-yuga when Lord Nrsimhadeva came to rest here after killing Hiranyakasipu; Next to the Temple is a lake left behind by Mandakani River that flowed here at that time. When Lord Nrsimhadeva arrived here, He drank the sweet waters of this river to refresh Himself & also washed the blood of Hiranyakasipu from His hands; Ama Ghata Once while performing Kirtana, Lord Caitanya noticed the devotees becoming tired. He stopped the Kirtana & planted a mango seed in the ground at this spot. Within minutes, a huge mango tree grew covered in big, beautiful, red & 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. Hari-Hara Ksetra Lord Siva is the topmost Vaishnava & is constantly rendering service to Lord Krishna. Srimad-Bhagavatam describes that after killing some demons, Lord Krishna's sudarsana chakra burnt down Lord Siva's city of Kasi. Lord Siva left that city & took refuge here, so this place is also known as Maha-Kasi. Lord Visnu manifested Himself in the form of Hari-Hara - half Visnu & half Siva to show how dear Lord Siva is to Him. In 1997 some thieves tried to steal Him. Next day, a fox came to some children who were playing near the Temple. This was most unusual so the children followed this fox & were led to where Hari-Hara had been abandoned in a nearby field. During investigations, a court case arose & Hari-Hara spent 4 years residing in Krishnanagar Police station with a case number tag tied to His finger that previously held Sudarshana chakra. An unknown women came every day to offer Hari-Hara fresh water & incense. Hari-Hara returned to the Temple in 2001 amidst a grand festival organized by ISKCON and others. 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. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's house House were Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura lived. There are also the Deities of Gaura-Gadadhara which His Divine Grace worshiped. Gaurakishora Dasa Babaji bhajan-kutir is also here. Surabhi Kunja Surabhi cow resides here eternally. Wonderful pastimes related to Markendaya Rsi also took place here. This is also the place where Lord Nityananda established the headquarters for His nama-hatta preaching.   "NRSIMHAPALLI": LORD NRSIMHADEVA AT NRSIMHAPALLI TEMPLE. THIS DEITY DATES BACK TO SATYA-YUGA   "HARI-HARA KSHETRA": HARI-HARA (CENTRE), HALF-VISNU, HALF-SIVA   "AMA GHATA": Ama Ghata - the mango tree planted by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu for the pleasure of His dear devotees during Harinam Sankirtan   "Suvarna Bihar Gaudiya Math": Holy Stones from Golden Age at Suvarna Bihar Gaudiya Matha   "Svananda Sukhada Kunja": Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's house GAURA-GADADHARA, Deities worshiped by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura at his house   Surabhi Kunj: HH Janananda Goswami performing drama   Island IV: "MADHYADWIPA" (represents: smaranam) Place Places of pilgrimage and their Pastimes Hamsa-Vahana Deity of Lord Siva residing on Lord Brahma's swan carrier. Naimisaranya Forest Where Lord Siva, Saunaka Rsi and sages heard Gaura-Bhagavatam, the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu from Suta Gosvami. Brahmana Puskara Interesting pastimes with a Brahmana who wanted to visit Puskara in Rajasthan but was told by Lord Brahma that original Puskara is in Navadvipa. Uccahatta & Kurukshetra Uccahatta & Kurukshetra are also here. Pancaveni & Gauranga bridge This is the place where 5 rivers Alaknanda, Mandakini, Yamuna, Manasi Ganga, & Sarasvati confluence with Ganga.   HAMSA-VAHANA:   "NAIMISARANYA FOREST":   "BRAHMANA PUSKARA":   "KURUKSHETRA": This is the site of Kurukshetra. Currently this is encroached by a local brick making factory.   "PANCAVENI & GAURANGA-SETU (bridge)": Gauranga-Setu and Pancaveni - place where 5 rivers Alaknanda, Mandakini, Yamuna, Manasi Ganga, & Sarasvati confluence with Ganga   Island V: "KOLADWIPA" (represents: pad-sevanam) Place Places of pilgrimage and their Pastimes Dharmesvara Mahaprabhu Bari Temple Original Deity of that Visnupriya, wife of Lord Caitanya, worshiped for 80 years after Lord Caitanya took sannyasa. Visnupriya was 16 years old when Gauranga Mahaprabhu left & she worshiped this Deity as her husband until she passed away at the age of 96. There are also wooden shoes of Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu given to Visnupriya which she worshipped until she passed away. Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Bhajana Kutir & 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 Babaji & Jagannatha Dasa Babaji used to meet daily and discuss Krishna-katha. Samudragarh Wonderful pastimes related to a great devotee king, Samudra Sena who with his great devotion forced Lord Krishna to appear took place here.   DHAMESVARA MAHAPRABHU BARI TEMPLE 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. Srimati Visnupriya was 16 years old when Gauranga Mahaprabhu left and she worshiped this Deity as her husband until she passed away at the age of 96. The Deity's hands reach forward with upraised palms, a pose indicating, "I am yours." "Samudragarh":   Island VI: "RITUDWIPA" (represents: arcanam) Place Places of pilgrimage and their Pastimes Champahatti Champakalata Sakhi's grove & Jayadeva Goswami's pastimes took place here. Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya's house Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya's house and school of logic.   Vidyanagara Gaudiya Matha Vidyanagara Gaudiya Matha. This place has trees that manifested from pens planted by Lord Caitanya. They do not belong to any known species.   Radha-kunda & Syama-kunda Hidden Radha-kunda & Syama-kunda   "CHAMPAHATTI": SRI SRI GAURA-GADADHARA AT CHAMPAHATTI   JAYADEVA GOSWAMI'S "GITA-GOVINDA" performance by Bhakti Vedanta school, Sridham Mayapur   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. Pen-Trees by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu   "Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya's" house:   Island VII: "JAHNUDWIPA" (represents: vandanam) Place Places of pilgrimage and their Pastimes Bhisma Tila Pastimes related to Bhismadeva took place here   Transcendentalists sharing Bhismadeva's pastimes at Jahnudwipa   Arati to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, The Presiding Deities of Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama   Island VIII: "MODADRUMADWIPA" (represents: dasyam)

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