WRITTEN BY- ARNAB DAS (Computer Science and Engineering department, 3rd year, Kalyani Government Engineering College, Batch: 2019-23)
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| ISKCON Temple |
Mayapur Dham is
recognized as one of the most holy, iconic places in West Bengal. People around
the state visit this Dham. It is the headquarter of ISKCON (International
Society of Krishna Consciousness). People often visit this place to get rid
of boredom. Nabadwip Dham, along with Mayapur, also is a holy place to visit.
It’s been a long
time since I and my friend have planned to explore Mayapur Dham. We had planned
a month ago to visit Mayapur. It was really exciting for us to go to Mayapur
for the very first time.
One month ago we
had our exams. Every night I was electrified when time would come. Before
departing, I dreamt that I was serving Lord Radha-Krishna as a priest, also directing
devotees how to worship Lord properly.
I started bag
packing to carry clothes, all other necessary things to be needed one day
before heading towards Mayapur.
On 7th
April, 2021, the day finally arrived. As a resident of Kolkata, I and my friend
headed towards Vidyanagar Station (Ultadanga) by bus. From there we got into a
local train which goes to Krishnanagar City at 8 am. I had a light breakfast
before coming out of home. After completing two and half an hour journey, we
reached at Krishnanagar City. In there, we had our breakfast. From there we first
went by an auto to catch a bus which go directly to Mayapur.
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| Temple Of Vedic Planetarium, Mayapur. Construction start in 2010 and when it completed it will be the world's largest hindu temple. |
After travelling
by bus, we finally reached at Mayapur Dham at 12 pm. Before coming here, big
brother of my friend suggested us of staying at lodge inside Mayapur Dham at
cheap price. So we headed towards lodge and then we founded the lodge which
named Shruti Bhaban, what we came to know. It was beside Goshala. We booked one
room for two nights which costs Rs.250/- per night and per person. But as a student,
for us, it costs 200/- per night and per person.
We arrived at
room, environment of surrounding lodge is quite peaceful, green plants also
surrounded it. After that, we started to explore the Dham. We went to have our
lunch i.e., Prasad. Then we moved around of the main temple, which is being
constructed. We saw many devotees moving around with japa mala, chanting the
Hare-Krishna name.
We saw many
foreigner devotees were moving around in temple area, chanting mantas, walking,
riding in bicycles, scooters etc. Many local devotees, outsiders gathered in
one place, were walking around to see temples etc. Every evening, arati show is
started.
On next day, we
went for Mangala-arati at early 4 am. Curtains were opened up, conch was blown
to awake the deities, kirtana started where devotees started to show their
devotion towards deities. Upto 6 am, kirtana continued and finished with
worshipping Narsimha deb and Tulsi debi. After completing Mangala-arati, we had
bhog-prasad.
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| Ganga River |
We had also
taken bath in the river Ganges. There were many devotees, foreign devotees also
bathing.
On that whole
day, we went to see several spectacular places to be visited. We booked a auto
to visit these places. We went to Birth place of Shri Gouranga Mahaprabhu
first. Secondly, we went to Shri Chaitanya Math, third Devotee Chand Gazi
Samadhi, fourth Jagannth Temple, fifth Raja Vallal Sen’s Dhipi, sixth Shri
Bhakti Vinod Sriti Temple, ISCKON Chandrodaya Temple, seventh Yoga Peeth etc.
Then we visited
to Goshala, there various kinds of cows were sitting, hovering here and there.
Some people observing those cows by feeding grass, bathing, etc.
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| Goshalas Of Mayapur |
We had our lunch at Gada Bhaban. There many spiritual, healthy dishes were given like rice, papad, vegetables, fried rice, sweets, kheer etc. From there, we came back to our lodge.
At afternoon, we
went to Nabadwip by crossing the river Ganges on the boat. As we had gone at
afternoon, we did not have so much time to explore Nabadwip thoroughly. Just we
hovered nook and corner, saw various stalls of different things. Buyers come to
see, buy products. It was like I was hovering at Varanasi. Before returning, we
tasted a sweet curd to reduce our appetite. Then we came back to our lodge.
We stayed one
more day to see around the temple, went to Gurukula etc.
Before
returning, we, started to gather our things, clothes i.e., bag packing. On
fourth day, it was time for leaving. We left our lodge. We came to river Ganges
by auto and then crossed river by boat. From then we, headed towards station by
a van. At 8:30 am, we reached at Krishnanagar City jn. and got in the train by
9 am.
At 11 am, we reached our home safely. I want to go Mayapur everyday as it is very astonished, holy, mesmerizing place to be visited. I recommend all of you to visit this place once in a life.