Lord Nityananda said, “After the annihilation when the time of creation again arrives, Brahma becomes very fearful witnessing the vast annihilation. At that time the Lord shows him His mercy. Here Brahma offered prayers to the Lord and just as he opened his mouth to begin his offering, Sarasvati-devi appeared from his tongue in her most beautiful form. Then, by the energy of Sarasvati, Brahma offered a stava (prayer) to Lord Sri Krishna with great happiness. When creation takes place, maya covers all directions. Maya, comprised of the three modes of material nature, remains on the bank of the Viraja River. The rishis try to establish knowledge in the material world manifested by maya. This is Sarada-pitha, the place of Sarasvati (Sarada). By taking shelter of this holy place, the rishis defeat avidya (ignorance). They learn the sixty-four varieties of vidya (knowledge) and propagate this knowledge in various places on the earth planet. Whatever branch of vidya they may practice, all of the rishis eternally reside here. Sri Valmiki received kavya-rasa at this place by the mercy of Narada Rishi and compiled the Ramayana. Dhanvantari received Ayur Veda here. Rishis like Visvamitra also came here to learn archery. Saunaka Rishi read the Vedic mantras at this place. Mahadeva Siva also discussed tantra here. Brahma manifested the four Vedas here at the request of the rishis. Kapila Muni compiled sankhya sitting at this place. Sri Gautama Rishi manifested nyaya and tarka (logic) sitting here. Kanada Muni revealed the vaiseshika philosophy, sage Patanjali revealed the yoga-sastra, Jaimini wrote the treatises on mimamsa, Vedavyasa revealed the Puranas, and the Pancaratra was written by five sages including Narada Muni. All these philosophies were manifested here and then taught to the people in general.”

Sri Nityananda Prabhu explained to Sri Jiva, “This Kali-yuga in which Lord Gauranga has appeared, is blessed and is the cream of all yugas. Lord Gaurasundara manifests His vidya pastimes in this yuga. Therefore Brihaspati descended here along with his associates. Brihaspati took birth as Vasudeva Sarvabhauma to please Lord Gauranga. Knowing His Lord would enjoy the vidya-rasa, Brihaspati along with his associates left Indrasabha (Indra’s court) and appeared at different places for the Lord’s pleasure. Sarvabhauma Mahasaya opened tolas (schools) in Vidyanagara and spread knowledge. He thought, ‘In the future, due to the influence of dry knowledge, I may lose Sri Gauranga.’ Thinking like this he left behind his disciples and went to another area, leaving Nadia before the appearance of the Lord. He thought to himself, ‘If I am a real servant of Gauranga then the Lord, being merciful upon me, will bring me to Him.’ Thinking like this Sarvabhauma went to Nilacala-dhama and established mayavada-sastra there very strongly. Here in Vidyanagara, Gauracandra Mahaprabhu enjoyed vidya-vilasa by defeating the disciples of Sarvabhauma in a very simple way, just by joking with them (parihasa). Whenever Lord Gaura Raya came to Vidyanagara He would defeat all the scholars through nyaya-phanki (debate). All the teachers and students would run away, being defeated by Gauranga. These descriptions of Gauranga’s vidya-lila are very wonderful. Whoever listens to these pastimes becomes free from ignorance.” Hearing this, Sri Jiva rolled on the ground in ecstasy at Vedanagara (the place of the Vedas).

Darsana times: 6.00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3.00-8.00 p.m.

Directions: Take the small path on the right side of the Vidyanagara Gaudiya Matha. Proceed through a local mud-hut village and then turn left at the T-junction. A short distance down this path is a temple where Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya’s house used to be located. 

Presiding deities: Sri Sri Radha-Syamasundara and Gauranga Mahaprabhu

Darsana times: 6.00 a.m-12.00 and 4.00-8.00 p.m. 

Directions: Take the Navadvipa-Krishnanagar Highway No. 8 under Narasimhapalli (Godrumadvipa). Cross the Gauranga Bridge and turn right when you reach the T-junction. This is the Navadvipa-Katwa Road. Proceed for approximately six kilometers. You will pass some concrete houses on the left. Shortly after that, you will come to a village shopping area. Make a left turn where you see a subji market (usually open until around noontime) and then, after a short distance, take the first right. On this road you will cross a bridge which goes over the remains of the Ganga River who used to flow here in Lord Caitanya’s time. Take the first local road on the right side. This local road becomes smaller and goes into a village. Turn right and go through this village until you see a sparse brick building (a small school) in an open area on the left side. This temple is down the path opposite the school. 

Presiding deities: Bhakt i siddhant a Sarasvati Thakura established this small temple. The beautiful lifesized neem Gaura- Nitai deities here were worshiped by Vidya-vac a spat i, the brother of S a r v a b h a u m a Bhattacarya. 

Points of interest: It is said that the group of trees (on the left side before the temple) do not belong to any known species, and that they manifested from some pens Nimai planted in the ground.