Sri Gaura Mandala Parikrama 2024

ISKCON Bangalore Group of temples has been at the forefront of propagating the highest spiritual values and teachings to society for over three decades. Millions of people, regardless of religion, caste, creed or other considerations, have found solace, peace, direction and new meaning in their lives after coming in touch with the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.

We have been organising pilgrimage toursto places of historical and spiritual significance across the country for many years. We are happy to announce a special 20-day Gaura Mandala Parikrama in 2024. This Parikrama will be a unique opportunity to visit various important holy sites in West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh, where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Krishna, personally set His lotus feet and enacted His lilas. This is the first time such a transcendental tour has been organised in Utkala and Gauda deshas for the benefit of devotees.

Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura says:

sri-gaudamandala-bhumiyeba jane chintamani tara hayavraja-bhume vasa

“One who knows the Gauda-Mandala-bhumi, the abode of Lord Gauranga, is transcendental and qualified to live in Braj-bhumi.”

When Lord Chaitanya appeared on this planet, He brought all His eternal associates with Him. They were part of the Lord’s divine pastimes and served Him with utmost love and devotion. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also took great pleasure in glorifying His dear devotees, who are His heart and soul.

The Gaura Mandala Parikrama will include a visit to the birthplaces of Lord Chaitanya’s parents - Sri Jagannath Mishra and Srimati Sachi Devi, His beloved associates and temples like Sri Jagannatha temple, Sakshi Gopala temple, Sri Govindaji temple and Sri Madan Mohan temple.

Our previous Acharyas have indicated the limits of Gaura Mandala Bhumi. South-East corner is Pundarik Dham, Mekhal-gram, Chittagong, Bangladesh North-East corner is (Srihatta) Sylhet, Bangladesh North-West corner is in Ramkeli, Malda, West Bengal South-West corner is Remuna, Odisha

Following are some of the important places connected to these exalted personalities that we will be visiting during our tour.

The Holy Places in Odisha:

• Sri Jagannatha temple, Puri

• The eternal residence of the Lord of the Universe.

• Sri Sakshi Gopal temple, Sakshi Gopal

• The Lord in His Archa Vigraha form came walking from Vrindavan as a witness for His dear devotee.

• Gadagadiya Ghat, Cuttack

• The rolling pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

• Sri Kshira Chora Gopinatha, Remuna, Odisha

• Sri Gopinath Himself stole a pot of kheer for Sri Madhavendra Puri. When this news became public, He received a special name, Kshira Chora Gopinath.

• Sri Shyamanada Pandit’s Sripath, Kanpur, Odisha

• He set up his preaching headquarters here and liberated the entire Utkal-desha, including the prince who later became a great Vaishnava saint, Sri Rasikananda Murari.

The Holy Places in West Bengal:

• Sri Gopi Vallabha Raya temple, Gopiballabhapur

• An enchanting pastime of the marriage ceremony of Gopi Vallabha Raya.

• Sri Bhagavata Acharya’s Sripath, Baranagar

• Sri Raghunatha Upadhyaya’s recitation of Srimad Bhagavatam was so enchanting that when Lord Chaitanya heard it here, He gave him the name Sri Bhagavata Acharya and instructed him to continue the recitation. And even to this day, the recitation of Bhagavatam is going on.

• Sri Gadadhar Dasa Sripath, Ariadaha

• Sri Gadadhara dasa is referred to as the topmost (sarvopari) branch of Lord Chaitanya’s desire tree of devotional service, for He had inspired the Kazi (Muslim Magistrate) to chant the holy names of Lord Hari.

  sri gadadhara das shakha sarvopari,
  kazi ganera mukhe yenha bolaila hari

• Sri Raghava Bhavan, Panihati

• Raghava Bhavan, the residence of Sri Raghava Pandita, is renowned all over the three worlds as the eternal residence of Sri Gaurahari.

• Kunja Vatika - a residence of Lord Nityananda, Khardaha

• The land of Khardaha is a witness to Lord Nitai’s ecstatic pastimes, merely contemplating upon which one easily gains entry into the realm of transcendence. Srimati Jahnava Devi, Vasudha Devi, and Birchandra Prabhu have all manifested their sweet pastimes here and sanctified this holy tract of land.

• Sri Ishvara Puri’s Birthplace, Halisahar

• The birthplace of Sri Ishvara Puri, the spiritual master of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is popularly known today as ‘Chaitanya Doba’. The word Doba means a pool of water.

• Sri Krishna Rai Temple, Kalyani

• Sri Krishna Raya are the worshipable Radha Krishna deities of Sri Srinatha Prabhu, the spiritual master of Kavi Karnapura, the third son of Shivananda Sena. Residence of Shivananada Sena and birthplace of Kavi Karnapura.

• Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami’s Birthplace, Bandel

• Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami is one of the six revered Goswamis of Vrindavana. His renunciation and love for the Supreme are glorified all over the three worlds.

• Sri Madan Mohan Temple, Bishnupur (Second Vrindavan)

• Bishnupur, the temple town of Bengal, houses the main temple of Sri Madan Mohan Jiu. Sri Madan Mohan is the guardian of Bishnupur. He is the protector, the worshipable Deity unto Whom the people of Bishnupur surrender, reveal their hearts, and for Whom they reserve their most intimate feelings and reciprocations.

• Sri Jayadeva Goswami’s Birthplace, Joydeb Kenduli

• This is the birthplace of Sri Jayadeva Goswami, composer of the famous Gita Govinda.

• Sri Nityananda Prabhu’s Birthplace, Ekachakra Dham

• Lord Nityananda is the incarnation of Lord Balarama, and He appeared here at Sri Ekachakra Dham to assist Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in manifesting the most magnanimous pastimes.

• Dudh Ghat (Bodo Gauranga Bari), Jiaganj

• It is at this place that Sri Narottama merged into the waters of Padma and vanished from worldly view. His disappearance was just as milk vanishes in water. Therefore, the place is known as Dudh Ghat.

• Ramachandra Kaviraj’s Birthplace, Bhagawangola

• Sri Ramachandra Kaviraja is an eternal associate of Lord Chaitanya. He went on to become great friends with another stalwart Vaishnava, Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura. And they relished each other’s association dearly. Hence in his song, Narottama Dasa exclaims – “ramachandra sanga mage narottama dasa.”

• Ramkeli, Malda

• It is one of the most exalted and spiritually surcharged places in Parikrama, where Sri Jiva Goswami appeared in this world. Sri Rupa and Sanatana Goswami also first met Lord Chaitanya at this place.

The Holy Places in Bangladesh:

• Narottama Dasa Thakura’s Birthplace, Kheturi, Rajshahi

• The pure devotee and a great Vaishnava poet appeared in Kheturi. He organised the first Gaura Purnima festival here at the bank of river Padma. Most of the associates of Mahaprabhu and other leaders of the sampradaya came to Kheturi on the occasion of the festival organised by Narottama Dasa.

• Puthia, Rajshahi

• The only daughter of the King of Puthia, Princess Gangamata Sri Sachi Devi, appeared here and became an exalted devotee. It is after her name the house of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya became famous as Gangamata Matha in Puri Dhama.

• Lokanatha Goswami’s Birthplace, Magura

• Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Lokanatha Goswami to perform bhajana in Vrindavana and reveal the hidden tirthas there. He was also given the responsibility of taking care of the Vaishnava visitors to Vrindavana. He associated with Srila Bhugarbha Goswami, the disciple of Gadadhara Pandita. They were the first to go to Vrindavana. He had Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura as his only disciple.

• Haridasa Thakura’s Bhajan Kutir and Birthplace, Benapole, Jashore

• This is a powerful place with the strong vibration of the holy name. It is here Srila Haridasa Thakura initiated Hira Bai, a prostitute. She then started to chant one lakh names and became known in the area as Lakshahira. Nearby is the birthplace of Srila Haridasa Thakura.

• Prembag, Jashore

• Sri Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami stayed here. After meeting with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Ramakeli, they both decided to leave home. Then Rupa Goswami and Anupama came there with all the family members from Ramakeli.

• Sri Madhwa Gaudiya Math, Dhaka

• This is the 3rd out of 64 Gaudiya math (after one in Mayapur and one in Kolkata) established by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. On Monday, October 31, 1921, on the day of Sri Govinda Puja and Annakuta Mahotsav, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura personally installed Sri Sri Guru Gauranga’s Sri Murti with grand Sankirtan at Sri Madhwa Gaudiya Math.

• Sri Sachi Angan, Baragaon, Jaypur

• Birthplace of Sachi Devi - mother of Lord Chaitanya. The residence of Sri Nilambara Chakraborty, the maternal grandfather of Lord Chaitanya.

• Sri Murari Gupta’s Birthplace, Golabazar

• Sri Murari Gupta is one of the chief associates in Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s childhood pastimes. Sri Murari Gupta, who cures the living entities of their material disease, was born in Srihatta (Sylhet).

• Sri Jagannath Mishra’s Birthplace, Dhaka Dakshin

• The birthplace of Lord Chaitanya’s father, Sri Jagannath Mishra, and His grandfather, Sri Upendra Mishra, is Dhaka Daksin of Srihatta (currently Sylhet).

• Sri Srivasa Pandita’s Birthplace, Beanibazar

• Sri Srivasa Pandita is described as the incarnation of Narada Muni. Through Srivasa Thakura, Lord Chaitanya taught that He is conquered by the love of His devotees and that anyone dear to His devotee also conquers His heart.

• Sri Advaita Acharya’s Birthplace, Pantirtha

• One who caused the descent of Lord Chaitanya appeared at this place known as Pantirtha. “Pana” means promise. Sri Advaita Acharya’s mother, Nabha Devi, desired to take a bath in the Ganges but was lamenting her old age and the distance of the Ganges from her village. To fulfil his mother’s desire, Advaita Acharya promised His mother, “I will call Ganga Devi and the other tirthas and ask them to flow near our village.” Lakhs of devotees even today take bath here in the river.

• Sri Pundarika Dham, Mekhal, Chittagong

• He who was previously known in Vraja as Vrishabhanu is known here as Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi. When Mahaprabhu was in His own mood as Krishna and felt the pain of separation from Radha, He would call him “father”. Gaurachandra was happy with Pundarika and named him Premanidhi, or “the treasure house of love.” Mahaprabhu always treated him with respect because he was the disciple of Madhavendra Puri.

• Sri Mukunda and Vasudeva Dutta’s Birthplace, Chonhora, Chittagong

• In Vraja, there were two very nice singers named Madhukantha and Madhuvrata. They appeared in Chaitanya-lila as Mukunda and Vasudeva Datta, who were singers in the society of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

And many more…

One is considered to be very fortunate even if he gets the dust of these sacred places. Hence, the opportunity to visit the dhams is the mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It is said that anyone who performs the Gaura Mandala Parikrama will obtain unlimited happiness and unflinching devotion of Lord Chaitanya. Enlivening sadhusanga, melodious kirtans, divine aratis and sumptuous prasadam will be other important features of the Parikrama. We invite all the initiated devotees of Srila Prabhupadato participate in this exclusive pilgrimage and receive the blessings of Sri Gauranga.

Hare Krishna!