All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga
You are cordially invited to attend
Sri Navadvipa-mandala Parikrama 2013
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: +91-9153125442 / 9734825362 (Madhusudan das -
Dear Devotees,
In Govardhana, just before the end of Sri Vraja-mandala Parikrama 2010, Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja personally invited all of us to attend Sri Navadvipa-mandala Parikrama in the holy land of Sri Navadvipa-dhama. His exact words were, "You all go to Navadvip and I will come and meet you all there." This parikrama will be again a very special one,for it is the manobhista, or inner-most hearts’ desire of our most beloved Srila Gurudeva. We will share many remembrances of his glories and the harikatha that forever emanates from his lotus mouth. Please do not miss this opportunity and try to be with us.
This year, the festival will be inaugurated on March 20th with the devotees observing sankalpa, or a vow to ensure the success of their parikrama. The last day of the festival will be March 28th.
Parikrama
On March 21st, we will begin our six-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 compelling and surcharged kirtanas that we will cherish forever, reverentially touch our head to the dust of the numerous holy 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 March 26th.
Gaura Purnima
On March 27th, 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 honor 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, or bathing of the deity of Mahaprabhu, accompanied by an extraordinarily sweet kirtana, followed by Ekadasi maha-prasadam.
Festival of Sri Jagannatha Misra
Overjoyed with the birth of his dearmost son, Sri Jagannatha Misra held a grand festival the day after the child's birth. On March 28th, we will observe that festival with a delicious prasadam feast. On behalf of Sri Jagannatha Misra and mother Saci-devi, who have made all arrangements, Srila Gurudeva is inviting us to participate. The festival will be held at our temple, Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha.
Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha
According to Srila Gurudeva's desire, the construction of a beautiful lake-side temple is almost completed. Furnished with two large prasadam halls, a massive kirtana hall, and three guesthouses, this grand temple complex is very impressive and beautiful. Now plans are underway to construct a most beautiful Samadhi and Samadhi Mandir for Srila Gurudeva.
Included within the festival fees
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 earlier times.
Cost
A minimum contribution of Indian Rs. 3000, US$ 55, or EU 40 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 elevated Vaisnavas, and performing parikrama under their guidance. All this is offered to us by the causeless mercy of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. 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 150 and 250 rupees per room per day, depending on the facilities offered. For further assistance and reservation you can contact Vrinda didi at
Registration
To register for this festival, submit a completed participation form and give your contribution (in rupees, dollars, or euros) to the devotee in charge in the registration office at the entrance of the temple gate. There you will find other devotees responsible for accommodating you inside or outside the temple complex.
The facilities on Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha grounds will only be available from March 18th onward. If you decide to arrive in Navadvipa-dhama 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 Gaura Purnima 2013 Festival web page for more details about traveling to the dhama, how to maintain good health during your visit, and other practicalities.
Please inform us by e-mail (
For correspondence and registration for Indian devotees, please contact pujyapad Kunjabihari prabhu, mob. +91 956.0280.595.
Directions
By Taxi: To arrange a taxi to pick you up from the airport, train station, Barddwan, Kolkata, or other places, you can contact a 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. 20 by rickshaw. For those who prefer to come by train, our advice is to be careful and watch your luggage during the train journey.
Festival committee exists of the following members:
- BV Parivrajak Maharaja, (Parikrama president)
- BV Sridhar Maharaja, (Parikrama leader)
- BV Vana Maharaja,(Parikrama leader)
- BV Madhava Maharja, (Stage incharge)
- Pujyapada Premananda Prabhu, (over-all internal management)
- PujyapadaRadhesh Prabhu, (Kitchen incharge)
- PujyapadaRamacandra Prabhu, (over-all management and finances)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. mobile: 098.1019.2540 - PujyapadaMadhusudan prabhu (Secretary, phone: +91 91531 25442/ +91 97348 25362)
Sri Gaura-dhama Parikrama and Janmotsava 2013
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Arrival in Sri 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.
Thursday, 21 March 2013
(1) 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. Lunch prasadam in our Sri Keshavaji Gaudiya Matha.
Friday, 22 March 2013
(2) 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 at Sri Candrasekhar Bhavan.
(3) Sri Rudradvipa (“sakhyakhya”) – Rudrapada, Sankapura, Idrakapura and Gangeradariga.
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Fasting for Sri Ekadasi
(4) Sri Simantadvipa (“sravanakhya”) – Simuliya, Saradanga, Meghara Cada, Belapukura.
(5) Samadhi darsana of Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja in the town of Navadvipa, Paudamatala (Praudha-maya-sthana). Ekadasi lunch prasadam at Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha, Navadvipa.
Sunday, 24 March 2013
Break fast for Ekadasi from 5:37 am till 9:41 am.
(6) Narasimha Palli
(7) On the way back: Sri Madhyadvipa (“smaranakhya”), Majida, Hatdanga, Anandavasa, Vamanapura and Hansvahana. Lunch prasadam and rest in our Sri Keshavaji Gaudiya Matha, Navadvipa.
Monday, 25 March 2013
(8) Sri Koladvipa (“padasevanakhya”) – Gadakhalir Kola, Tegharira Kola, Koleramada, Kolera Ganga, Kolera Daha, Samudra Gadha and Campahati.
(9) Sri Ritudvipa (“arcanakhya”) – Ratupura.
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
(10) Sri Jahnudvipa (“vandanakhya”) – Jannagara (Jahnumimisthan) and Vidyanagara (Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya pata).
(11) 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).
Wednesday 27 March 2013
Fasting for SRI GAURA-PURNIMA.
Sri Gaura-jayanti and sankirtana festival. Fasting till moonrise, then Ekadasi preparations only.
Holi.
Thursday 28 March 2013
Break fast for Sri Sri Gaura-jayanti from 05:33 – 09:39AM
Festival of Sri Jagannatha Misra. Prasadam distribution and Vaisnava-homa yajna (Fire sacrifice and honoring the Vaisnavas). Departure.
29 March – 4 April Sri Jagannath Puri-dhama Parikrama 2013
This year again, under the expert guidance of Pujyapada BV Vana Maharaja and Pujyapada BV Sridhar Maharaja, devotees will visit many holy places in Sri Jagannath Puri dham. Buses will leave in the evening on 29 March from Sri Navadvipa dham and will make a stop-over in Remuna for the most auspicious darshan of Sri Ksira Chora Gopinathaji. After this the buses will proceed to Sri Jagannath Puri dham where for 5 days many Holy pastimes places will be visited where Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and His eternal associates resided and left Their holy foot dust to purify our hearts.
For further information and registration please contact Pujyapada BV Vana Maharaja-
