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Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama: Day 4 & Day 5

Day 4:

Today we have reached half way through Navadvipa Mandala. We had the honor to see Samudragar which is the place Lord Krishna appeared during the battle between two great devotees Bhima and King Samudra sena. The Gurukul boys brought the pastime to life, by enacting a drama on it. The devotees were amused and pleased with them.Next devotees arrived in Champahati wherein a variety of pastimes took place. The Gopi Champakalata used to pick Champs flowers from here in order to make garlands for the divine couple. Jayadeva Goswami was residing there while he was composing his celebrated Gita Govinda. HH Bhakti Purusottama Maharaja described how Lord Jagannatha is so deeply fond of Gita Govinda that every evening in the temple of Puri they have it recited to Him.

Maharaja brought the maha cloth and toothbrush from Jagannatha and blessed all devotees by placing these sacred items on their heads. HG Prithu Prabhu who is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada shared with all the devotees some Prabhupada Nectar, and that was most satisfying to the ears and heart.

Charming dances on songs written by Jayadeva were also performed there.

Near Champahati the place known as Vidyanagar became the next destination.

There we heard with every detail, from HH Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja, how Lord Caitanya hid there at the house of Vidya Vacaspati. Ever since Mahaprabhu took sannyasa he had been trying to go to Vrindavana. This time the Lord was finally in his way there, and He decided to stop at Navadvipa for some days. Although He desired to remain incognito, the whole of Navadvipa Mandala for to know that the Lord was staying in Vidyanagar. This hundreds, thousands and millions of people came from all directions to take Darshan of Mahaprabhu. Thus the Lord not only gave them His Darshan but did kirtan with them for 7 days.

At last the parikrama reached the campsite where koftas, paneer sabji and mishit dhoti (sweet made of yogurt) waited for them.The class was given by HG Sikkhi Mahit prabhu and the devotees have every evening question and answer session with HH Bhakti Vijna Vinash Narasimha Swami ”

Photo Gallery here:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/NavadvipaMandalaParikrama/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2008698485810933

Day 5: 

“Arkadeva (the sun god), being merciful upon me, will appear in front of me with his red- dish complexion, wearing saffron coloured cloth, his whole body smeared with sandal- wood and tears flowing from his eyes while he chants the holy name of Gaurahari.”

Hare Krishna, After travelling though Ritudvipa and Jahnudvipa, today the international party has arrived in Modadrumadvipa.

The morning kirtan is always full of enthusiasm; mrdangas, kartals and voices full of devotional ecstasy fill the entire atmosphere. The whole scene of cows, sacred trees and rivers plus the amazing weather makes everyone overwhelmed thinking themselves very fortunate to be here! The sun rises but still everything looks silver color because of the fog.. when the sun showers his rays upon the river the waters shine as if stars were inside of it!  Here we go!

First devotees took darshan of Vasudeva Datta’s deities, which are ever so charming. Then they visited the birthplace of the celebrated Vrindavan das Thakur the compiler of many books, out of which Sri Caitanya Bhagavat stands out. He is an incarnation of Srila Vyasadeva, who came in this age to narrate Lord Caitanya’s pastimes. He was the last disciple of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. After listening about his sublime character as well as pastimes of Lord Ramachandra who wanders through Modadrumadvipa accompanied by mother Sita and Lakshman  devotees came to Vaikhuntapur, Mahatpura and Arkatila where HG Pancaratna Prabhu and HG Sikhi Mahiti Das together put an spontaneous drama about Narada Muni and this place. Tommorow there will be a boat ride, which is everyone is waiting for.

Tonight after Priti Vardhana Prabhu’s lecture all devotees drink their evening milk and head toward their camp… waiting for one more wonderful day.

” Nityananda prabhu said, This place, which is situated in one corner of Navadvipa-dhama in the shape of an eight-petalled lotus, is undoubtedly Vaikunthapuri. Lord Narayana resides in this Sri Vaikuntha, which is situated in the spiritual sky, Paravyoma. Vaikuntha lies beyond the Viraja River. Maya or illusion has no influence upon this place. Here Lord Narayana is served by Sri-devi and Bhu-devi, and the brahmajyoti is the effulgence of this spiritual land. With their material vision, people cannot understand the transcendental nature of this place. In his Narayana-dhama, Narada muni once saw the Lord with his transcendental vision. Narada saw the Narayana form turn in to the form of Gaurasundara.

After seeing this, Narada Muni stayed here for some time. ”

Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya, By Bhaktivinoda Thakur

Pictures in the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/NavadvipaMandalaParikrama/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2009892029024912

 

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