Hare Krishna! On 24 May13, Friday is the auspicious Appearance Day of Lord Nrsimhadeva. Fasting till dusk.
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"SRI NRSIMHAPALLI" or
DEVAPALLI
AT "SRI GODRUMADVIPA" ISLAND OF NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA
THE PLACE WHERE LORD NRSIMHADEVA CAME TO TAKE REST AND
WASH THE BLOOD FROM HIS HANDS AFTER KILLING HIRANYAKASIPU
Sri Nrsimhapalli is located on the eastern and southern boundaries of Navadvipa Dhama and is known by the names Nrsimha Puri and Devapalli (neighbourhood of the Devas). This temple is famous since Satya-yuga when Lord Nrsimhadeva came here to take rest and wash the blood from His hands after bestowing His mercy on Prahlada by killing his demoniac father Hiranyakasipu. Next to the temple is a lake left behind by the Mandakini River that flowed here at that time. When Lord Nrsimhadeva arrived here, He drank the sweet water of this river to refresh Himself and also washed the blood of Hiranyakasipu from His hands. Knowing that Lord Nrsimhadeva had come to take rest here, all the demigods followed Him, constructed large palaces and worshipped Him with great opulence. The changing course of the Mandakini River covered the demigod palaces and destroyed them and all that remains of them now are the hills that surround this area. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates used to come here regularly to discuss Lord Nrsimha-katha and perform Harinam Sankirtana. The Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust built the kirtana hall here.
deva-pallim tato gatva
devan surya-mukhan prabhuh
sri-krsna-kirtananande
plavayam asa bhamini
"Oh, Bhamini! (After visiting Suvarna-vihara) the Lord went to Devapalli. There he drowned the demigods headed by Surya with the bliss of chanting the holy name of Sri Krishna." (Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya, Pramana-khanda 4.38)
In Navadvipa-bhava-taranga Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes Devapalli as follows:
"Southeast of Suvarna-vihara there is Nrsimha Puri. When will I see the pure transcendental sweetness of this place, also called Devapalli? I will roll about on the ground in ecstatic love while visiting this residence of Lord Nrsimha. Sincerely begging for His grace without a trace of duplicity in my heart, I will attain Krishna-prema.
Within my heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as duplicity, the desire for fame, and sheer cunningness. At the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimhadeva, I hope that He will mercifully purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Lord Sri Krishna.
Weeping, I will beg at the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimha for the benediction of worshipping Radha and Krishna on Navadvipa, perfectly safe and free from all difficulties. When will this Lord Hari, whose terrible form strikes fear into fear itself, ever become pleased and show me His mercy?
Even though Lord Nrsimha is terrifying toward the sinful souls He offers great auspiciousness unto the devotees of Lord Krishna headed by Prahlada Maharaja. When will He be pleased to speak words of compassion unto me, a worthless fool, and thereby make me fearless?
He will say, 'Dear child! Sit down freely and live happily here in Sri Gauranga-dhama. May you nicely worship the Divine Couple and may you develop loving attachment for Their holy names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are cast far away. With a purified heart, just perform the worship of Radha and Krishna, for such worship overflows with sweet nectar.'
Saying this, will that Lord delightedly place His own divine lotus feet upon my head? Suddenly I will experience sublime love for the divine couple Radha-Krishna and undergo the ecstatic transformations called the sattvika-vikaras. Falling on the ground, I will roll about by the door of Sri Nrsimha's temple."
(Navadvipa-bhava-taranga)
NRSIMHAPALLI TEMPLE
The following is a description of Devapalli from Sri Navadvipa-dhama-Mahatmya, Parikrama-khanda:
After visiting Suvarna-vihara Lord Nityananda along with Sri Jiva and Srivasa Thakura proceeded towards the village Devapalli. This place is also known as Nrsimhapalli. All of them took rest there as guests of demigods and took their lunch prasada. Towards the end of the day Nityananda Prabhu went on a tour of the village. He explained that in this village there is a temple of Lord Nrsimhadeva from the time of Satya-yuga. Being merciful upon Prahlada Lord Nrsimha killed his father Hiranyakasipu who was giving so much trouble to his son. After killing Hiranyakasipu Lord Nrsimhadeva came to this place and took rest here for some time.
Knowing that Lord Nrsimhadeva had come to take rest here, all the demigods including Brahma built their houses here and thus created a village. They built their houses on the bank of Mandakini on top of a hillock and all engaged in the service of the Lord. Since that time this place has been known as Nrsimha-ksetra in Navadvipa Dhama. The scriptures describe this place as very purifying. Previously there were many hillocks there where the houses of Bramha, Suryadeva, Ganesa and Indra were situated. There were many tilas where Visvakarma built hundreds of houses out of stone. In due course of time the River Mandakini dried up and all the houses were destroyed. Now only the hillocks are there but you can see many stones lying around which are the ruins of the temples of different demigods. It is also said thta Lord Nrsimhadeva washed His hands in the pond next to the temple. After some time a great devotee or king will come and by the mercy of Lord Nrsimhadeva, will build a temple for Lord Nrsimha Bhagawan here and revive the worship of the Lord. This place marks the outer limit of Navadvipa Dhama which extends up to sixteen krosas or 32 miles.
DEVOTEES WALKING TOWARDS NRSIMAHAPALLI DURING ANNUAL NAVADVIPA-MANDALA PARIKRAMA
"NARASIMHA PALLI" TEMPLE IN GODRUMADVIPA, NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR
This Temple is famous since Satya-Yuga when Lord Nrsimhadeva came here to take rest after bestowing His mercy on Prahlada by killing Hiranyakasipu. It is located on the eastern and southern boundaries of Navadvipa Dhama and is known by names: "Nrsimha Puri" and "Devapalli" (neighbourhood of Devas). Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates used to come here regularly to discuss Lord Nrsimha-Katha and perform Harinam Sankirtana.
LORD NRSIMHADEVA AT NRSIMHAPALLI TEMPLE
Lord Nrsimhadeva with Hiranyakasipu on His lap and Prahlada at His feet. This self-manifested Deity dates back to Satya-yuga.
In "Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya" Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura relates, Lord Nityananda tells to Sri Jiva Goswami that in future, one devotee king will build a large temple, re-install Lord Nrsimha, and take up service to Nrsimhadeva again at this very place.
LORD NRSIMHADEVA AT NRSIMHAPALLI TEMPLE
"MANDAKINI LAKE" Where Lord Nrsimhadeva washed the blood of Hrinyakashyupu from His hands
Next to the Temple is a lake left behind by the Mandakini River 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 of Hrinyakashyupu from His hands.
The Demigods followed Lord Nrsimhadeva here, constructed large palaces and worshipped Him in great opulence. The changing course of Mandakini River covered the Demigod palaces and destroyed them. All that remains now are the hills that surround this area.
MANDAKINI LAKE
MANDAKINI LAKE
"SRI SRI GAURA-NITAI", NAVADVIPA-MANDALA PARIKRAMA DEITIES ENJOYING 'DAAB' (GREEN COCONUT WATER) AND TAKING REST IN THEIR PALANQUIN UNDER THE BANYAN TREE AT NRSIMHAPALLI
Transcendentalists discussing Lord Nrsimhadeva Pastimes at Nrsimhapalli Temple during Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama
Transcendentalists discussing Lord Nrsimhadeva Pastimes at Nrsimhapalli Temple
Transcendentalists discussing Lord Nrsimhadeva Pastimes at Nrsimhapalli Temple during Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama
Devotees performing play on Lord Nrsimhadeva Pastimes at Nrsimhapalli
Transcendentalists coming from Mandakini Lake after taking sanctified water
Ecstatic Devotees
Devotees heading to the next destination "SRI HARI-HARA KSHETRA" after having Darshan of Lord Nrsimhadeva and Mandakini Lake at Nrsimhapalli
LORD NRSIMHADEVA FIGHTS TO SAVE HIS DEVOTEE
Hiranyakasipu was such a powerful demon that he controlled the whole universe, including the heavenly planets. He was virtually immortal because of a special denediction Lord Brahma had given him. Hiranyakasipu's avowed enemy was Lord Visnu, but, much to the chagrin of Hiranyakasipu, his son Prahlada was a mahabhagavata devotee of Lord Visnu. When threats failed to turn his son against Visnu, Hiranyakasipu tried to kill him by using wild elephants, poison, snakes, fire and even throwing him off a cliff. All of these attempts failed and Prahlada, being personally protected by Lord Visnu, was completely unharmed. Finally, in a fit of rage, Hiranyakasipu demanded that his son reveal where he got his powers from, for it was stronger than his own power. Prahlada told his father there is only one source of all the power - Lord Visnu.
Hearing the name of his sworn enemy from the lips of his son made Hiranyakasipu insane with anger. Screaming, "Where is your Visnu? Is He in this pillar? Will He come and protect you now?" Hiranyakasipu grabbed Prahlada and went to kill him with his own hands. Suddenly a thunderous clamour shook the palace as Nrsimhadeva burst out of the pillar and roared at Hiranyakasipu in great anger. Hiranyakasipu grabbed his sword and attacked Nrsimhadeva with all his might. A fierce battle ensued but ended wqhen Nrsimhadeva picked Hiranyakasipu up as if he was an insignificant insect, placed him on His lap, and bifurcated his chest.
The Lord says that His devotees are more dear to Him than His own self. Prahlada, a young boy, had remained fully dependent and faithful on the Lord's love and protection throughout severe trials. Therefore, even after killing Hiranyakasipu, Nrsimhadeva's fury was burning hot and would not be pacified. Everyone, including the demigods and even Laksmi Devi, Nrsimhadeva's eternal consort, were too afraid to go near Him. Finally, Prahlada approached Nrsimhadeva and offered Him a garland. Seeing His dear devotee, Nrsimhadeva at once became placated and embraced Prahlada in great affection. Nrsimhadeva begged Prahlada to ask for any benediction he wanted. Prahlada did not want anything for himself, but he did want that the suffering souls in the material realm be released from their illusionary bondage to material enjoyment.
Directions to reach Nrsimhapalli:
From ISKCON Mayapur via Hular Ghata: Turn left at the main gate towards boat ghata. Hular ghata is the first ghata (straight up towards the end of main road) and is different from the ghata from where one takes boat to Navadvipa town (Koladvipa). Take the boat to Godrumadvipa. Turn right at the main road from the boat ghata and walk 5 mins until you reach the center of a shopping area. Rickshaws and auto rickshaws are available here. It will take around 45 mins to get to Nrsimhapalli by rickshaw. Auto rickshaws are quicker.
From ISKCON Mayapur via Krishnagara/Kolkata highway: Go down Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Marg until you reach the main road to Kolkata. After the Krishnagara turn-off and after going under the railway overbridge, continue straight down the Navadvipa/Krishnagar highway (do not turn left at the intersection as that will take you to Kolkata). Nrsimhapalli is just before a lake (on the left side of the road) and a sharp-right turn in the road. The distance is 27 km. A taxi will take around 45 mins to get there.
Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama: One can also visit Nrsimhapalli by attending Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama which is organized each year by ISKCON Mayapur about 2 weeks before Gaura-Purnima.
Lord Nrsimhadeva screensaver: http://screensavers.iskcondesiretree.info/ISKCON_Mayapur_Screensavers/Lord_Narsimha_Dev_Screen_Saver.exe (downloadable)
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