Category Archives: Navadvipa Dham

Why is this island called Godrumadvipa?

 

Sri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya (Parikrama-khanda) describes:

Lord Nityananda along with Sri Jiva and Srivasa Thakura reached the village called Gadigacha. He explained, “This island is known as Godrumadvipa. The Surabhi cow is always residing here. During Dvaparayuga Indra, bewildered by the illusory energy of Lord Sri Krishna, sent heavy rain to Vraja due to his great pride.

Indra and Surabhi Mata

Lord Krishna protected the vraja-vasis by holding the Govardhana mountain aloft. Thus Lord Sri Krishna destroyed the pride of Indra, the husband of Saci. Indra realized that he had committed a great offense at the lotus feet of Sri Krishna and fell at His lotus feet begging for forgiveness. The most merciful Lord Sri Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, excused Indra for his offense. But Indra was nevertheless very frightened. He went to the Surabhi cow and told her, ‘I could not understand the Lord in His krishna-lila and thus committed a severe offense at His lotus feet. I have heard that in the age of Kali Lord Sri Krishna will manifest wonderful pastimes in Nadia. I fear that I may again become bewildered and offend the lotus feet of Sri Hari. You know everything, my dear Surabhi-mata. Kindly tell me what I should do to become free from this offensive nature.’ The Surabhi cow replied, ‘Let us go to Navadvipa-dhama. There we will worship Nimai.’ Indra and Surabhi then came here and engaged in the worship of Lord Gauranga which is very easy and gives great benefit. If someone cries, chanting the holy name of Lord Gauranga, he will obtain darsana of the Lord. After Indra and Surabhi performed their bhajana here Lord Gauranga manifested Himself exhibiting His most beautiful form, smiling sweetly. His transcendental form was very gracious and He was the personification of the ecstatic storehouse of all mellows. Lord Gauranga smilingly said, ‘I know your desire. Very soon I will manifest My pastimes in Nadia. During this pastime you will serve Me here, so that you will not get caught by the net of maya any more.’ Saying this Lord Gauranga disappeared. Surabhidevi stays there eternally under the banyan tree and constantly serves the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga. Because mother Surabhi is staying here on this island under a banyan tree, it is known as Godrumadvipa. Go means cow and druma means tree. All the desires of the devotees are fulfilled here. If anyone worships Lord Gauranga residing here in a hut, he will attain His lotus feet.

Meghera Chara

This place is between Belpukur and Sonadanga villages. Once, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu along with His devotees was passing through this place on nagara-sankirtana. Suddenly a very dark cloud appeared in the sky. The devotees were worried that there would be heavy rain which would disrupt their sankirtana but Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu waved His cloth asking the clouds to disappear and they immediately dispersed on the order of the Lord.

Directions: Turn right after you enter the courtyard for Simantini-devi temple and take the first road on the left. Going ahead, at the end of the village, you will see some fields. This is the area called Sonadanga. You can continue down this road to go to Belpukur. 

Rama-tirtha (Rukumpur)

Lord Balarama

At this place Lord Balarama killed the demon Kolasura. Then, along with the members of the Yadu dynasty, He took bath in the Ganga. While Lord Balarama was visiting different holy places He came to this place. At that time, a demon by the name of Kolasura was living here.

Lord Rama

This powerful demon had mystic powers which he was using to keep the local people under his control. The people approached Lord Balarama for help and the Lord, being merciful upon them, came to fight with Kolasura. Kolasura attacked Balarama by surrounding Him with thousands of elephants and chariots from all sides. But Lord Balarama very easily defeated all of Kolasura’s soldiers and finally killed the demon himself. If anyone takes bath at this tirtha on the fullmoon day in the month of Kartika, he will achieve one hundred times the benefit of bathing in Haridvara. Now this place is known as Rukmapura (or Rukumpur). Lord Ramacandra also visited this place during Treta-yuga and Lord Nityananda, after His marriage, stayed for some period at Rukumpur.

Madana Gopala Temple

Sri Madan Gopal Temple

There is a temple with a deity of Sri Madana Gopala in Belpukur. In the book Sri Navadvipa Dhama and Jagannatha Puri – A Practical Guide, it has been mentioned that this deity of Sri Madana Gopala was established and worshiped by Nilambara Cakravarti Thakura, the father of Srimati Sacidevi. Nilambara Cakravarti is said to have moved from Srihatta (Sylhet) to this village sometime between 1475 and 1490. He came here with his wife and his daughter, Saci-devi. This village used to be right next to the Ganga, but is now about 6 km away.

Sri Madan Gopal

Darsana times: 6a.m.-12 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.

Directions: Proceed down Bhaktisiddhanta road until you come to the main road to Calcutta. Instead of turning right in the direction of Krishnanagar and Calcutta, go straight ahead. Take the left turning at the corner of Dhubulia Batala where there is a large banyan tree. Then turn left next to a small market place and proceed for approximately one kilometer. On the left you will see the Belpukur library, a white building in an open field. Behind this, to the left, is the Madana Gopala temple. This is the area of Belpukur. Presiding deity: This delightful deity of Madana Gopala was worshiped by Nilambara Cakravarti Thakura, the father of Saci-mata.