Hare Krishna Devotees!
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On Wednesday, March 11th, we will be celebrating Srivas Thakur’s appearance day. *Please join us at the temple on this special day for the program at 4pm.*
We welcome all the devotees to come hear the glories of Srivas Thakur and participate in the wonderful service of bathing Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Padukas with Ganga jal in honour of the appearance day of Srivas Thakur, by whose mercy we can receive the shelter of Lord Krsna’s lotus feet.
All devotees are also welcomed to prepare and bring bhoga for the pleasure of our Lordships Sri Sri Pancatattva.
Please join us to celebrate Srivas Thakur with your friends and families for the mercy of Panchatattva!
We will have space blocked off for all the devotees so that everyone can gather comfortably and take part in the program.
We hope to see you there!
Your servants,
Pancha-tattva festival celebration team
With the Garuda-Dhvaja Flag Lowering Ceremony on March 5th, the auspicious month-long Gaura Purnima Festival 2026 in Sri Mayapur Dham has come to a beautiful close. This sacred period, filled with devotion, kirtan, and service, brought together devotees and well-wishers from all around the world to celebrate the divine appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Over the past weeks, the dham has been vibrant with spiritual activities and celebrations. The festival season began with the Garuda-Dhvaja Flag Hoisting Ceremony, marking the official start of the festivities. Devotees then participated in the sacred Navadvipa Mandal Parikrama, walking through the nine holy islands of Navadvipa and reliving the divine pastimes of Lord Gauranga.
Throughout the festival, many wonderful events took place, including:
Sravan Utsav and Kirtan Programs
Sri Radha-Madhava Boat Festival
Santipura Festival
Ganga Puja
Gaura Purnima Adhivasa
The Appearance Day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, celebrated with abhisheka, kirtan, and a grand festival program
Jagannath Misra Festival Feast, honoring the father of Lord Chaitanya
And finally, the Garuda-Dhvaja Flag Lowering Ceremony, marking the conclusion of the celebrations.
This year’s festival was especially inspiring. During the closing ceremony, it was shared that 5,206 sets of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita were distributed, an increase of 1,300 sets compared to last year. Such wonderful service reflects the growing enthusiasm to share the mercy of Lord Gauranga with the world.
During the final gathering, co-directors and senior leaders offered heartfelt words of gratitude, reflecting on the incredible success of this year’s festival and the collective effort that made it possible.
We would like to take this opportunity to deeply thank all our donors, supporters, friends, and well-wishers who came forward to serve and support the Sri Gaura Purnima Festival 2026. Through your generous contributions—whether through seva, sponsorship, or heartfelt encouragement—you have helped make these celebrations possible for thousands of pilgrims and devotees.
Your support allows these sacred festivals to flourish and ensures that the mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu continues to reach hearts across the world.
We look forward to welcoming you again in the coming festivals and in Gaura Purnima 2027, with even more opportunities to serve, celebrate, and share the joy of devotional life.
Special Gaura Purnima Message 2026
We also invite you to watch this special Gaura Purnima message by Brajavilasa Das.
In this inspiring talk, he reflects on the life, teachings, and unlimited mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who spread the chanting of the Holy Name throughout the world.
He also shares an exciting reminder that the Pancha Tattva and all our beloved Mayapur Deities will be relocated to Their new home in the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in 2027, the 50th Disappearance Anniversary year of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Watch the full message here: https://youtu.be/kOcuPZ0Mwz0?si=sLD8d6XJJ3LUI9W6
Upcoming Events
As we move forward from the wonderful Gaura Purnima festival season, we warmly invite you to stay connected and participate in the upcoming auspicious celebrations in Sri Mayapur Dham.
March 11 – Appearance Day of Srivasa Thakura
March 15 – Papamochani Ekadashi
March 27 – Rama Navami
March 29 – Kamada Ekadashi & Vyasa-puja of Jayapataka Swami
We look forward to welcoming devotees and well-wishers to join these sacred observances and continue celebrating the joy of devotional service together.
Thank you for being part of this divine celebration.
On the auspicious occasion of Gaur Purnima (3/3/2026), GITA, is releasing Teaser on 'तीर्थ बने महातीर्थ’ (Holy to the Holiest), Mega Docu-Drama Series of more than 10 Hours on Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's visit to South India, showing pastimes, history, glory & how to reach each of the 55 Holy places visited by Him, which became Holiest by His Divine Touch.
A Trailer in Song Form (with English Sub-titles) will be released before Gaur Purnima.
Later, Series will be released in South Indian, Bangala, Odia, Regional & foreign languages.
Kindly be in touch at You Tube Channel 'GitaGaurang’ and Web-site 'GITA.TV’, for knowing vital Information & platform on which Series will be released.
Kindly like, subscribe & spread the Teaser, in your circle.
https://youtu.be/2OlfAmO-KdM
Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard from You the explanation of Amalaki Ekadasi which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February–March), and now I wish to hear about the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March–April). What is its name, Oh Lord, and what results can one attain by observing it?"
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, replied, "O best of kings, for the benefit of everyone I shall gladly describe to you the glories of this Ekadasi, which is known as Papamochani. The history of this Ekadasi was once narrated to the Emperor Mandhata by Lomasa Rishi.
King Mandhata addressed the Rishi, 'Oh great sage, for the benefit of all people, please tell me the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra, and please explain the process for observing it. Also, please describe the benefits one gains by observing this Ekadasi.'
"Lomasa Rishi replied, 'The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Chaitra is named Papamochani Ekadasi. For the faithful devotee it removes the influences of ghosts and demons. Oh lion among men, this Ekadasi also awards the eight perfections of life, fulfills all kinds of desires, purifies one's life of all sinful reactions, and makes a person perfectly virtuous.
"'Now please listen to a historical account concerning this Ekadasi and Chitraratha, the chief of the Gandharvas (heavenly musicians). During the spring season, in the company of heavenly dancing girls, Chitraratha once came upon a beautiful forest bursting forth with a great variety of flowers. There he and the girls joined the Gandharvas and many Kinnaras, along with Lord Indra himself, the king of heaven, who was enjoying a visit there. Everyone felt that there was no better garden than this forest. Many sages were also present, performing their austerities and penances. The demigods particularly enjoyed visiting this celestial garden during the months of Chaitra and Vaisakha (April–May).
"'A great sage named Medhavi resided in that forest, and the very attractive dancing girls would always attempt to seduce him. One famous girl in particular, Manjughosha, contrived many ways to allure the exalted Muni, but out of great respect for the sage and fear of his power, which he had attained after years and years of ascetics, she would not come very close to him. At a spot two miles from the sage, she pitched a tent and began singing very sweetly as she played a tamboura. Cupid himself became excited when he saw and heard her perform so nicely and smelled the fragrance of her sandal-paste unguent. He remembered his own unfortunate experience with Lord Shiva and decided to take revenge by seducing Medhavi. (see footnote 1)
"'Using the eyebrows of Manjughosha as a bow, her glances as a bowstring, her eyes as arrows, and her breasts as a target, Cupid approached Medhavi in order to tempt him to break his trance and his vows. In other words, Cupid engaged Manjughosha as his assistant, and when she looked at that powerful and attractive young sage, she also became agitated by lust. Seeing that he was highly intelligent and learned, wearing a clean white brahmana's thread draped across his shoulder, holding a sannyasi's staff, and sitting handsomely in the ashrama of Chyavana Rishi, Manjughosha came before him.
"'She began to sing seductively, and the small bells of her belt and around her ankles, together with the bangles on her wrists, produced a delightful musical symphony. The sage Medhavi was enchanted. He understood that this beautiful young woman desired union with him, and at that instant Cupid increased his attraction for Manjughosha by releasing his powerful weapons of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.
"Slowly Manjughosha approached Medhavi, her bodily movements and sweet glances attracting him. She gracefully put her tamboura down and embraced the sage with her two arms, just as a creeper winds itself around a strong tree. Captivated, Medhavi gave up his meditation and decided to sport with her, and instantly his purity of heart and mind abandoned him. Forgetting even the difference between night and day, he went away with her to sport for a long, long time. (see footnote 2)
"'Seeing that the young yogi's sanctity had become seriously eroded, Manjughosha decided to abandon him and return home. She said, "O great one, please permit me to return home."
"'Medhavi replied, "But you have only just arrived, O beautiful one. Please stay with me at least until tomorrow."
"'Fearful of the sage's yogic power, Manjughosha stayed with Medhavi for precisely fifty-seven years, nine months, and three days, but to Medhavi all this time seemed like a moment. Again she asked him, "Please permit me to leave."
"'Medhavi replied, "O dear one, listen to me. Stay with me for one more night, and then you may leave tomorrow morning. Just stay with me until I have performed my morning duties and chanted the sacred Gayatri mantra. Please wait until then."
"Manjughosha was still fearful of the sage's great yogic power, but she forced a smile and said, "How long will it take you to finish your morning hymns and rituals? Please be merciful and think of all the time you have already spent with me."
"The sage reflected on the years he had been with Manjughosha and then said with great astonishment, "Why, I have spent more than fifty-seven years with you!" His eyes turned red and began to emanate sparks. He now regarded Manjughosha as death personified and the destroyer of his spiritual life. "You rascal woman! You have turned all the hard-earned results of my austerities to ashes! Trembling with anger, he cursed Manjughosha, "Oh sinful one, Oh hard-hearted, degraded one! You know only sin! May all terrible fortune be yours! Oh rascal woman, I curse you to become an evil hobgoblin — pishacha!"
"'Cursed by the sage Medhavi, the beautiful Manjughosha humbly beseeched him, "Oh best of the brahmanas, please be merciful to me and revoke your curse! Oh great one, it is said that association with pure devotees gives immediate results, but their curses take effect only after seven days. I have been with you for fifty-seven years, Oh master, so please be kind to me!"
"'Medhavi Muni replied, "Oh gentle lady, what can I possibly do? You have destroyed all my austerities. But even though you have done this sinful deed, I shall tell you a way you can be released from my wrath. In the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra there is an all-auspicious Ekadasi that removes all one's sins. Its name is Papamochani, Oh beautiful one, and whoever fasts on this sacred day becomes completely freed from having to take birth in any kind of devilish form."
"'With these words, the sage left at once for his father's ashrama. Seeing him enter the hermitage, Chyavana Muni said, "Oh son, by acting unlawfully you have squandered the wealth of your penances and austerities."
"Medhavi replied, "Oh Father, kindly reveal what atonement I must perform to remove the obnoxious sin I have incurred by privately associating with the dancing girl Manjughosha."
"Chyavana Muni answered, "Dear son, you must fast on Papamochani Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra. It eradicates all sins, no matter how grievous they may be."
"Medhavi followed his father's advice and fasted on Papamochani Ekadasi. Thus all his sins were destroyed, and he again became filled with excellent merit. Similarly, Manjughosha observed the same fast and became free of the hobgoblin curse. Ascending once again to the heavenly spheres, she too returned to her former position."
Lomasha Rishi continued, "Thus, Oh king, the great benefit of fasting on Papamochani Ekadasi is that whoever does so with faith and devotion will have all his sins completely destroyed."
Sri Krishna concluded, "Oh King Yudhishthira, whoever reads or hears about Papamochani Ekadasi obtains the very same merit he would get if he donated a thousand cows in charity, and he also nullifies the sinful reactions he may have incurred by killing a brahmana, killing an embryo through abortion, drinking liquor, or having sex with his guru's wife. Such is the incalculable benefit of properly observing this holy day of Papamochani Ekadasi, which is so dear to Me and so meritorious."
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Chaitra-Krishna Ekadasi, or Papamochani Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.
Footnotes
After Lord Shiva lost his dear wife Sati at the sacrificial arena of Prajapati Daksha, Shiva destroyed the entire arena. Then he brought his father-in-law Daksha back to life by giving him the head of a goat, and finally he sat down to meditate for sixty thousand years. Lord Brahma, however, arranged for Kamadeva (Cupid) to come and break Shiva's meditation. Using his arrows of sound, taste, touch, sight, and smell, Cupid attacked Shiva, who at last awoke from his trance. He was so angry at being disturbed that he instantly burned Cupid to ashes with a glance from his third eye. Back to the story.
Female association is so powerful that a man forgets his time, energy, possessions, and even his own identity. As it is said in the Niti-shastra, striya charitram purushasya bhagyam daivo vijanati kuto manushyah: "Even the demigods cannot predict the behavior of a woman. Nor can they understand the fortune of a man or how it will determine his destiny." According to Yajnavalkya Muni, "A (celibate) person who desires spiritual life should give up all association with women, including thinking of them, seeing them, talking with them in a secluded place, taking service from them, or having sexual intercourse with them." Back to the story.
