All Glories to Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga
You are cordially invited to attend
Sri Navadvipa-mandala Parikrama 2010
Conducted under the guidance of
Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja
Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha
M. Kolerdanga Road (near the Ganga Bridge)
Navadvipa, West Bengal
Phone: +91-9333.222.775 (Sripada Harijana Maharaja)
E-mail:
Parikrama
On February 23rd we will begin our five-day Sri Navadvipa-mandala parikrama, a pilgrimage to each of Navadvipa’s nine incomparably beautiful islands. As we wind our way through these islands, we will chant surcharged and compelling kirtanas that we will cherish forever, reverentially touch our head to the dust of the numerous places related to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes, and hear nectarean harikatha that will change our lives and strengthen our commitment to the path of Gaudiya vaisnavism. Our pilgrimage will be completed on February 27th.
Gaura Purnima
On February 28th we will celebrate the divine appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The temple room will resound with kirtana and harikatha will be given in both Bengali and English. Many devotees honour Mahaprabhu’s appearance by taking bath in the Ganga early in the morning. Devotees are encouraged to fast on this day. In the evening, just at the time of dusk, there is an abhishek of the deity of Mahaprabhu, accompanied by an extraordinarily sweet kirtana, followed by anukalpa Maha-prasadam.
Festival of Sri Jagannatha Misra
Overjoyed with the birth of his dear most son, Sri Jagannatha Misra held a grand festival the day after the child’s birth. So, on March 1st, we will observe that festival with a delicious prasadam feast. On behalf of Sri Jagannatha Misra and mother Sacidevi, who have made all arrangements, Srila Maharaja is inviting us to participate. The festival will be held at our temple, Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha.
Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha
According to Srila Maharaja’s desire, the construction of a beautiful lake-side temple is almost completed. Furnished with a large prasadam hall, a massive kirtana hall, and three guesthouses, this grand structure is very impressive and beautiful.
Included within the festival fees
Because building is still going on, a traditional Bengali-style tent camp of bamboo sticks, canvas, and straw mats will be set up on a strong foundation. There is adequate toilet and shower facility. If you prefer to bring your own tent, sleeping mat, and mosquito net, you are most welcome. Such simplicity helps to remind us how Sri Navadvipa Parikrama was performed in previous times.
Cost
A minimum contribution of Indian Rs. 2,000, US$ 45, or EU 30 per person is requested in order to cover the most basic expenses of the festival. This payment covers prasadam; electricity and water; the rental of the pandal and sound system; payment for various workers; cleaning costs and facilitation of the many poor pilgrims from India.
We humbly request you to remember that this fee is a wonderful opportunity to facilitate the inconceivable benefit of hearing the harikatha of a spotlessly pure Vaisnava and performing parikrama under his guidance. In fact, we would not be able to repay this in countless lifetimes.
For an extra cost
The minimum contribution described above provides devotees with camp-style accommodations on the temple grounds and use of the common bathrooms with the Indian pilgrims. Devotees arriving from the West may find it easier to stay in a room. There are two choices for room accommodations.
First, there are hotel rooms at varying distances from the Matha. Their charges also vary.
Second, there are also simple rooms available for rent in the houses of the local residents. The average charge is between 100 and 200 rupees per room per day, depending on the facilities offered.
Registration
To register for this festival, submit a completed participation form and give your contribution (in rupees, dollars, or euros) to Tilaka-raja prabhu at the entrance of the temple gate. There you will find Mani-mati dasi, Savitri dasi, Sulata dasi, Kundalata dasi, Vrinda-devi dasi and other devotees responsible for accommodating you inside or outside the temple complex.
The facilities on Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha grounds will only be available from February 21st onward. If you decide to arrive in Navadvipa-dham before this date, you will need to make your own arrangements for accommodation and prasadam. We trust that all of you will cooperate with the festival managers in this regard.
Please visit the Purebhakti.com Travel Page for more details about traveling to the dhama, how to maintain good health during your visit, and other practicalities.
For further information contact Brajanath dasa at
Please inform us by e-mail about your participation, especially if you will come with a group. In this way we can arrange suitable accommodations for everyone.
Directions:
By Taxi: To arrange a taxi to pick you up from the airport, train station, Burdwan, Kolkata or other places, you can contact our reliable local taxi service at
By Train: From the Howrah train station in Kolkata you can catch a train to Navadvipa for about Rs. 60. Our Matha is about 10 minutes away from the Navadvipa train station, which should cost you no more than Rs. 15 by rickshaw. For those who prefer to come by train, our advice is to be careful and watch your luggage during the train journey.
Sri Navadvipa-mandala Parikrama and Sri Gauranga Janmotsava
Schedule 2010 (tentative)
Monday, 22 February 2010
Arrival in Navadvipa-dhama and Adhivasa Festival of Sri Navadvipa-dhama Parikrama (Festival that marks the beginning of the annual seven-day parikrama). Sankalpa (taking of vows) at the Ganga.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
(1) Sri Antardvipa (“atmanivedanakhya”) – Sri Gaura Janmabhita in Sridhama Mayapura, Srivasa Angan, Sri Advaita Bhavan, Sri Caitanya Gaudiya Matha (Sri Candrasekhar Bhavan), Samadhi Mardha of Jagad-guru Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada, Sridhara Angan, Sri Murari Gupta pata, and Chand Kazi’s Samadhi. Lunch prasadam Sri Candrasekhar Bhavan.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
(2) Sri Koladvipa (“padasevanakhya”) – Gadakhalir Kola, Tegharira Kola, Koleramada, Kolera Ganga, Kolera Daha, Samudra Gadha and Campahati.
(3) Sri Ritudvipa (“arcanakhya”) – Ratupura.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Fasting for Sri Ekadasi
(4) Sri Rudradvipa (“sakhyakhya”) – Rudrapada, Sankapura, Idrakapura and Gangeradariga.
(5) Sri Simantadvipa (“sravanakhya”) – Simuliya, Saradanga, Meghara Cada, Belapukura, Samadhi darsana of Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja in the town of Navadvipa, Paudamatala (Praudha-maya-sthana). Ekadasi lunch prasadam at Sri Kesavji Gaudiya Matha, Navadvipa.
Friday, 26 February 2010
Break fast for Ekadasi from 5:29 am till 9:23 am.
(6) Sri Godrumadvipa (“kirtanakhya”) – After touching the Ganga and offering obeisances to Sri Gaura-Yogapitha in Sridhama Mayapura, there will be a procession to Swarupaganja, Gadigacha, Surabhi-kunja, Svananda-sukhada-kunja, Suvarna-vihara, Harihara-ksetra and Narasimha Palli. Prasadam and rest.
(7) On the way back: Sri Madhyadvipa (“smaranakhya”) – Majida, Hatdanga, Anandavasa, Vamanapura and Hansvahana.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
(8) Sri Jahnudvipa (“vandanakhya”) – Jannagara (Jahnumimisthan) and Vidyanagara (Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya pata).
(9) Sri Modrumadvipa (“dasyakhya”) – Mamagachi (Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura pata). Noon prasadam and rest. On the way back – Arkatila and Ekadala and Matapura (Panca-pandavera-ajnatvasa).
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Fasting for SRI GAURA-PURNIMA. Sri Gaura-jayanti and sankirtana festival. Fasting till moonrise, then Ekadasi preparations only. Holi.
Monday, 1 March 2010
Break fast for Sri Sri Gaura-jayanti from 6:03 am – 9:45 am. Festival of Sri Jagannatha Misra. Prasadam distribution and Vaisnava-homa yajna (Fire sacrifice and honoring the Vaisnavas). Departure.
Sri Navadvipa Sataka
by Srila Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura
Text 71
I will not talk of anything else. I will not hear of anything else. I will not meditate on anything else. I will not go anywhere else. I will not worship anything else. I will not take shelter of anything else. In dream or awake, I will not see anything but the forest where He who accepted Sri Radhika's splendor enjoyed pastimes.
Text 72
My heart does not yearn to become a Lord Brahma on Satyaloka, nor does it seek the body of an associate of Lord Visnu in Vaikuntha, but it does think very highly of any birth, even as a tiny insect, in the home of the fortunate souls that enjoy festivals of sweet nectar in the pure realm of Navadvipa.
Text 73
I think any birth where, even from a distance, I may gaze at Navadvipa, touch it, and fall down on the ground to offer respects to it, is very fortunate. Will the fortunate day that I take such a birth ever come?
Text 74
Although I have not the slightest fragrance of faith in the exalted glory of Sri Navadvipa-dhama, and although I do not sincerely yearn to live there, nevertheless words like this flow from me.
Text 75
This mostly unconscious world and even they who think they know everything cannot know the truth about Navadvipa. When my carefully concealed Lord Hari appears, then His concealed abode also appears. Only a sincere devotee, by his guru's mercy, can know the truth of Navadvipa.
