our trip to Mayapur Dham

[Aravinda harirao]

Hare krishna,

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada,

This is a small attempt that I have made to recollect  and put into words about our trip to SriDham Mayapur.Please correct me if I am wrong or missed out somethings.

 Our train left bangalore on 25th of April Friday at 11.15 am. Each and everyone of us was excited. We sang lot of kirtans throught the train journey. All the new members also actively participated in the kirtans, even  some of the co- passangers also joined us for kirtan they all like very much. It was like the whole  compartment was involved in singing. They all wanted us to sing loudly so that even the last person could hear it. Many of them also enquired about  what is KC and about our food habits etc.

Since it was an ekadasi day we had ekadasi prasadam which we all had prepared from home. The next day we broke our fasting withsome grain prasadam which I had prepared from home. We were supposed to reach Howrah at 4 p.m. on that day i.e. 26th April saturday, but unfortunately our train delayed for 4 hours due to some technical problem. Every one was in panic because we had to catch the local express to nabadwip and from there cross ganges and so on. and few elderly people were worried about dinner prasadam. 

But Lord Gauranga arranged everything so nicely. WE reached Howrah at 8.30 p.m and AGD had already requested Kolkatta Govinda's to get the dinner prasadam to the station itself. as planned we could collect the prasadam, catch the 9.25 train too. for our surprise one complete compartment had vacant seats and we all could sit, peacefully eat prasadam and reached nabadwip at around 12.30 (midnight) we got the cycle rikshaws and reached ganga ghat and woke the ferry man and got intothe ferry and reached the other side of the ganges and reached the temple at almost 2 a.m. as soon as we reached the rooms we  took a shower and were ready to attend mangalarati. Many of us attended Mangalarati chanting and darshanarati had our breakfast and came to our rooms and rested.

We visited ghoshala in the evening(27th April)  and all of us fed the cows with jaggery as advised by the ghoshala incharge. Every one enjoyed this and we had lassi and some milk sweets there.We came back and attended sandya Arati also.(none of us missed sandhya Arati. we allattended everyday. and every one loved to dance).  

The next day 28th April we went for the Nabadwip parikrama, visiting the nine islands.We could get a very good guide HG Uttam Gaur Prabhu who explained in detail eveything about the places we visited. We visited Antara Dwip, simanta Dwip and Rajapur jagannath temple , Srivas Angan, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's birth place etc.

In the evening Poorna Nandini mataji , Prasannatma Prabhu joined us for the other three islands then we visited Jahanu dwip  Gaur gadhadhar temple ( champaHatti).

The next day Tuesday 29th April we were supposed to visit Ekachakrapur but some how got postponed to the nextday . So we decided to visit few places like Ambika kalna and Vrindavandas Takur's Place, and while returning we had our lunch prasadam in ChampaHatti. Totally we visited 6 islands.

In the evening we visited Srila Prabhupada's Mandir and went around the Museum. Hari bol to Poorna nandini mataji who explained about Srila prabhupada to all of us. The next day we had planned to visit EkachakraPur Lord Nitynanda's birth place. But it got cancelled due to elections. We were all dissapointed because  when last time we visited Mayapur we went almost 3/4 th of the distance and returned back due to some disturbance in the area and the driver refused to go. so someone had told us that it is very difficult to get the mercy of Lord Nityananda Mahaprbhu. We thought we were not fortunate enough to get His mercy. So that day 30th April after Mangalarati at around 9 a.m. we went Ganga safari and  bathed in ganges and came back. That evening we gave time for all for shopping since we wanted to be present the whole day on the Friday for Chandan Yatra. We didn't want to miss it.

The next day 1st May we attended managalarati and left for EkachakraPur with Lord Nityananda's mercy and reached the place around 10.30 a.m. and had our breakfast rice and dhal it was like a fulfleged meal  and we went on visiting the place. we visited Nityananda Mahaprabhu's Father's house, His birth place where his mother was kept in a house called suti Ghar and the pond where Nityananda Mahaprabhu took bath and used to play.  we went to the place where His umbelical cord was burried. and in the same place He did the pasttime of Ramayana play where he became unconscious like lakshman in Ramayana.

The place where pandavas were in disguise while in exhile and Bheem killed Bakasur, we saw the pond where Lord Nityananda's brother Bankim dissappeared in the pond and we came back and had our lunch prasadam and started our journey back to Mayapur.

The most long awaited day finnally arrived. The Chandan Yatra. We all attended the Mangalarati early morning and chanted and were present for Darshanarati which started at 8 a.m, All of us eagerly waiting to have darshan. the Screen opened and I  was watching the Lord with my mouth opened and tears rolled down my eyes I dont have any words to explain the beauty of the Lord and the Asta Sakhis None of us could move from that place. We were just standing there and watch the Lord without blinking our eyes. I could see many devotees with tears in their eyes. I felt as though I am in  Golok Vrindavan and did not want to leave that place. Some of the devotees attented the Bhagawatam class  conducted in English. And we all returned to our rooms after break fast. some went for shopping again. That evening we all assembled in Srila Prabhupada Mandir for the boat yatra and julan yatra. that day many offered bhoga for Radha Madhav and we too got a bit of prasadam . The Kirtans were immense and as soon as the boat yatra was about to finish suddenly it started to rain heavily. the clouds came from nowhere and all the devotees were dancing in the rain itself From our group smitha, madhmita Poornanandini mataji and laxmi mataji were gracefully dancing with other matajis there in the rain. It was a feast to our eyes and ears that evening to witness such a beautiful yatra. None of us wanted to go back to our rooms even after 8.30 we got pasta prasadam and buttermilk. We all came back with joyful mood to our rooms and had to pack our things to leave the next day to bangalore.

Really I did not want to leave the place but we had to. with a heavy heart we left Mayapur and returned to the railyway station. and back to Bangalore.

I am very thankful to all the devotees who travelled with us for their co-operation without which were unable to complete the yatra. a big Hari......bol .........to every one. And  we beg forgiveness if any offences comitted. I request all the devotees who travelled with us to write  how they felt and are free to give  suggestions if any. If i have missed out anything please feel free to add or correct me.If any one has taken good photos please upload them.

I also requested Niranjani mataji and Usha mataji to write a few words that how they felt visiting Mayapur.Niranjini mataji was very happy to see the co-operation among the devotees and was very happy to watch the Lord with Asta Sakhis. She used to attend Mangalarati and also darashanarati every day even the kids. She liked Panchatattva very much and was enquiring a lot about them. She was also happy that we were enlightened by  a very good guide. She also liked the prasadam and the hygeine maintained there. She wants to visit more dhams with the devotees.  Usha Mataji and Ramadevi Matatji are Niranjini mataji's Aunts and have commited to chant  and visit Tirupati Iskcon once in a month.They too had the same feeling and did not want to leave from Mayapur. Many new members bought the Beads and have started chanting. Haribol to all of them.

YS

Rangavalli Gopi Devi Dasi.

[Poornima Prakash]

Hare Krishna

 

Hari bol mataji for that wonderful write up on events.

 

Would first of all like to say a big Hari bol to Arya Govinda Das for his wonderful co-ordination during entire yatra. He was assisted by Pavan Pr, Sravan Pr, Senthil Pr, PBD & Guruaj prabhu.  Madhumita Radhe was their for mangalarthi every day at 4 am and inspired all the other childred to be their on time.

 

We had our inlaws, my mom and my father in laws sister-Seetha Mataji (BV member), all aged (65 and above).  Was wondering how they would manage the heat and mangalarthi.  Only the first day we guided them to temple, after that they were there for mangalarthi on remaining days on their own.  They have chanted 16 rounds everyday before Darshan aarti.

 

Seetha mataji was impressed by all grandeur of dieties and how well the whole mangalrthi was timed and was bowled over with the kirtans.  She was also very impressed with how all the devotees especially the foreigners were so blissful day after day with the sequence of events.

My mother (also BV member)was very impressed with the worship of Prahlad Narasimha. 

My in laws liked all the diety decoration and the whole experience.

 

Our heartfelt gratitude to Guru & Gauranga and all devotees for their co-operation. Also beg forgiveness for any offenses committed during the yatra

 

Always Chant

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

 

your servant

pbd & pnmdd

--
--
Please Chant:
"Jaya Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu Nityananda,
Sri Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi Gaura Bhakta Vrinda" - 3 times
and
 
"Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare". - 108 times
 
and be happy!!
 
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loka samastha sukhinav bhavanthu

[Venugopal & Padmini]

Dear wonderful devotees Rangavali mtj and Purnanandini mtj,

Pamho.AgtsGM! AGTSP!

Thank you so much for your nice inspiring reports on Mayapur trip and coming back with the mood of Lord Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu and some Krishna Prema!
Hope you share more nectar in Person!

Your servant,
PPdd

[anil kumar]

Hare Krishna Rangavalli Mataji,

A wonderful account of the Mayapur trip unfolded in front of or Eyes like a transcendental movie. 

The most wonderful Dham Sridham Mayapur is indeed superb. 

My mother too enjoyed every bit of the trip and is still explaining to me the trip events. 

A big thank you to You and Arya Prabhu for the wonderful co-ordination in looking after all the new devotees. 

My mom did not have any problem during the whole trip. She loved Radha Madhav decorations and prasadam. 

Hari Bol

Ys

VVdd

[Sravan Muguda]

Hare Krsna,

Dandavats Pranam,

All Glories to Srila Gurudeva!

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

I first of all thank Arya Govind Prabhu, Senthil Prabhu and Rangavalli Mathaji for organizing this trip for Mayapur. This was an amazing trip which I guess most of us won't forget in coming years! I had previously visited Mayapur once back in 2009 with my office colleague and stayed for day. But the real experience of Mayapur was only felt in this trip with the association of devotees. I would like share some realizations which made me really happy and close to my heart.

1. Lord would certainly arrange things properly, we have to show only faith in him: As told by Rangavalli Mathaji, our train got delayed by 5 hours to reach Howrah. There was lot of speculation about our safe arrival in mayapur, or to stay back in kolkatta overnight, what about dinner arrangement for so many devotees. This was probably the tough situation for  Arya Prabhu to manage. He instead was sure that we would reach Mayapur at any cost. He further requested some austerities in reaching to Mayapur would be help in purifying us. Personally, I was little anxious on how would we able to manage so many devotees some being elders and kids. But eventually, when we boarded the train for mayapur and had prasadam supplied by Govindas, I realized Lord is guiding us to Mayapur. Though tiring to reach Mayapur, I guess, this realization would help in developing some faith on the Lord.

2. Our hearts should melt faster than we sweat in Mayapur: The temperature in Mayapur was high about 43C. It was tough for most of us would had visited mayapur. All of us were sweating more and few kids crying and complaining about more sweat. Though in this condition we visited many important places like Chaitanya Math, Srivasa's Agan, Gadadhara's Agan, Giri govardan, Rajapur jaganath, Ambika Kalna, and lastly Ekachakrapura. Though, I missed Ambika Kalna, I was able to visit all the places. Wherever, we visited, I could notice, Senthil's prabhu's parents enthusiastically participating. I was very much impressed by their approach and HariBOL to them. Further, HG Uttama Gaur Prabhu narrated wonderful pastimes of each place. I could notice, how involved he was in his narration, he would request us to take obeisance of the lord, sometimes he would have moist eyes explaining a pastime and sometime very happy in explaining. It was wonderful to with associate with HG Uttama Gaur Prabhu may lord bless him with his mercy!! Haribol!

3. Beautiful Deities: Though we visited daily mangalarthi and were in awe seeing the beauty of the Lordships, it was on the day of Chandan yatra, which touched my heart. The Lordships were so so so beautiful, you won't like to take away your eyes on them. I could naturally feel my eyes getting moist and my heart getting satisfied. Hope that feeling would arise again and again in my heart! Just awesome. Most of us would agree with me on this. I could see so many devotees just seeing the deities with intense. I noticed Gururaj Prabhu standing in front of deities and didn't move for about ten mins. He was just seeing the lordships, until he was disturbed by Pavani!

4. Feeling of Separation: The previous night  before departing mayapur, I was feeling of losing something. I am not sure, whether it was missing Morning Mangalarthi, or attachment with the deities, having wonderful prasad or being afraid that I have to go back and take responsibilities of my material duties. Though I am not sure of what, but I could feel an intense feeling of separation! Would certainly miss experiences of Mayapur!

5. Change of consciousness after visiting dham:  After visiting dham, most of us had an effect on our consciousness. I personally feel, Maya would attack you even more intensely after leaving back the dham, but it is our effort to fight her back would help in maintaining that consciousness. We caught a train back from Navadwip and got a train to Howrah. The train was literally full, but in midst that, I could see Mariyappachetty prabhu seated and chanting on his beads without any slightest sign of disturbance. It was wonderful to watch him like that. Made me remember, we should constantly chant the names of the Lord in any given material condition. Once back in Duronto Express, I could see the eagerness of Usha Mathaji, Ramadevi Mathaji and Kantha Mathaji to listen more about Lord. One particular time in our berth, 10 people were chanting together continuously. wonderful!

Things I certainly miss from Mayapur

1. Darshan and Mangalarthi

2. Pastimes narrated by HG Uttama gaur prabhu

3. Kichidi prasadam from rajapur Jagannath

4. Pani puri from govindas

5. Prasadam especially Rice Payasam and Rosgulla

6. Pizzas from Mahaprasad

I again sincerely thank Arya govind Prabhu, Senthil prabhu and Rangavalli Mathaji for organizing the trip and all the devotees who were part of it. I also seek for forgiveness for any mistakes I would I committed with fellow devotees, in dham . HariBOL!

Mayapur Dham ki jay!!

 

YHS,

Sravan

Sravan Muguda
+919886036971