About Mayapur

Mayapur, located in the Nadia district of West Bengal, lies near Nabadwip, where the Jalangi River meets the Bhagirathi, a distributary of the Ganges. Approximately 130 km north of Kolkata, Mayapur, along with Nabadwip, is regarded as a significant spiritual destination by followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. It is traditionally recognized as the birthplace of the revered saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The town is home to numerous Gaudiya Vaishnava institutions, including the global headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

A key highlight of any visit to Mayapur is the Temple of Vedic Planetarium, an awe-inspiring structure built by ISKCON, and the largest temple in the world. Visitors can also explore Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi Mandir, a tribute to ISKCON’s founder. Surrounding the main shrine is a museum that narrates Srila Prabhupada’s life journey through intricate fiberglass displays. The **Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir** features three primary altars dedicated to Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Panca-tattva, and Lord Narasimha Deva. The Panca-tattva deities—Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Acharya, Gadadhara Pandit, and Srivas Thakur—are the largest of their kind in the world.

Every year, Gaudiya Vaishnava devotees embark on a spiritual journey, circumambulating the sacred sites of Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes, spread across the nine islands known as Navadvip. This **Navadvip Parikrama**, which lasts for seven days, is held during the **Gaur Purnima Festival**, celebrating the appearance of Lord Chaitanya. Thousands of devotees from across the globe gather in Mayapur during this time for this spiritual pilgrimage.

Mayapur is easily accessible from Kolkata via well-connected roadways and rail networks, making it a convenient destination for travelers.

The Mayapur Chandrodaya Temple remains the focal point for pilgrims, drawn by the devotion surrounding the Pancatattva, Lord Nrisingha Dev, Srila Prabhupada, and Radha-Madhav with the Gopis. The atmosphere in Mayapur is imbued with deep spiritual energy, offering visitors a sense of tranquility and devotion like no other place.

The serene environment and devotional activities in Mayapur provide peace and joy to visitors. Spending a day or two in this holy town, attending temple aartis, taking a guided tour of the campus, and enjoying a dip in the Ganges is said to bring immense spiritual fulfillment and relieve one of worldly burdens.