Those are the 3 most important holy places for Vaisnavas!
Mayapur and Navadvipa (nine islands) 5 days
Mayapur is a beautiful village on the banks of the Ganga where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (Golden Avatar) appeared 525 years ago. He distributed Krisna Prema (love of God) freely, and introduced Yuga Dharma Harinama Sankirtana to all the fallen souls of Kali Yuga. Mayapur is 130 km north of Kolkatta, it is one of the most holy and peaceful places in all of India. Over a million people come here each year.Yogapitha this is the place where Sri Caitanya appeared beneath a Neem tree, he appeared on the evening of the full moon of the month of Phalguna (Feb- March) 1486. Behind the birth site are two Siva Lingas, the left one is Gopishvara and one on the right is called Vridha Siva or Kshetra Pala, the protector of the holy Dham. Jagannath mandir (Sabara Danga) is about 4 km from the main ISKCON Temple it is beautifully decorated with dioramas that depict the pastimes of how these Deities were made. Lord Jagannath daily receives large food offerings called Chapana Bhoga (fifty six preparations). ISKCON Candradoya Mandir is international headquarters of Hare Krisna movement. Temple of Vedic planetarium will be the largest in India, it is under construction and cost over 100 million dollars. It will be surrounded by Vedic city with international community.
Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa (flower) Samadhi is there and rooms where he lived before it was constructed. The main Deities are Radha Madhava and eight Gopis, to the left of this altar is another altar with an impressive Prahlad Narasimha Deities.Around Mayapur there are many interesting places and we will visit some of them during our stay. Narasimha Palli is where Lord Narasimha rested after killing Hiranyakashipu. There is lake where Lord washed Hiranyakashipu’s blood off his hands. Located at this spot is an ancient deity of Narasimha said to date back to Satya Yuga, with decapitated Hiranyakashipu. Hari Hara kshetra half Vishnu and half Siva, Lord Vishnu manifested this form to show how dear Lord Siva to Him. Boat tours arranged daily for pilgrims with the possibility to feed local villagers Prasadam (vegetarian food that was cooked and offered to Krisna with love and devotion). It is very touching experience and many people donate generously for this project.
Jagannatha Puri and the area 5 days.
Puri is one of the four Holy Dhamas of India (Puri, Rameshvaram, Dwaraka and Badrinath). It is located 60km from Bhubaneswar on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Puri is called Sri Purusottama Dham (the abode of the Supreme Being) or Martya Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu on earth.
Other names are Sri Kshetra (best of all secret centers), Nilachala and Jagannatha Dhama. The worship of Jagannath is so ancient that there is no idea how long it has being in existence. The present temple is only one in long succession of previously built temples. The main reason Puri is so important because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu spent so much of his life here. Puri has one of the best beaches for swimming in India and it is pleasant place to stay for holydays. There are many interesting places including Swarga Dwara (doors to heaven), Jagannatha Mandir, Shankara math, Temple of Tota (sitting) Gopinath, Samadhi (tomb) of Haridas Thakur etc. Jagannath literally means “Lord of the universe” the main temple structure is 65m high and is build on the elevated ground, making it look more imposing. This temple is said to have largest kitchen in the world, and feeds 1000 people daily. The kitchen can prepare food for 100000 people on festival day.
Maha Prasada is pure vegetarian food offered to Lord Jagannatha. Just by eating this Maha Prasada one makes great spiritual advancement. Famous Ratha Yatra festival begins every year during june/july; the Deities of Jagannath Baladeva and lady Subhadra are carried of the temple and are then placed upon large chariots, which are pulled by ropes by thousands of people. Usually we stay in a very nice hotel by the sea site with a good view. Short drive from Puri is Konark or Arka Tirtha known for its fantastic temple of Lord Surya (Sun God), it is situated on the sea shore and was constructed of a black stone in the beginning of 13 century, and it is considered one of the most vivid architectural showpieces of India. It took 1200 workmen over 16 years to build. All over the base, walls and roof are intricate carvings, many of them are erotic in nature (Kama sutra postures). Visitors can climb down to the inner sanctum by the temple west side. There is also temple containing the nine planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu giving small donation to the priests makes it possible to order puja on your name or name of your relatives. Bhubaneshwar is the capital of Orissa state is said to once have had 7000 temples. The Lingaraj (Siva) temple is one of the most impressive temples in India. It is considered to be the pinnacle of Orissan temple architecture, the main tower is 55m high. The present temple is built between 1090 to 1104, but parts of the temple are over 1400 years old. The presiding deity is the svayambhu linga, Hari-Hara Linga, which is half-Siva half-Vishnu. He is also named Tribhuwaneshvara, the “Lord of the three worlds.” Tradition says that one should first visit this temple before going to Puri.
Vrindavan, Mathura, Govardhan, Kokilavan, Varshana and Vrinda Kunda 5 days
Vrindavan is 135km south of Delhi and and 55km north of Agra, just off the Delhi-Agra road. It is 12km from Mathura. Vrindavan has small town atmosphere with narrow streets and a lot of traffic. There are said to be over 5000 temples in Vrindavan.
Everywhere you walk there are temples. The Govindaji and Ranganath temples are in the eastern part of the town, in the middle of the downtown area is Loi Bazzar, a main shopping place to get clothing and variety of items. The Krishna Balaram Mandir is in peaceful area called Raman Reti. In front of the temple is the Samadhi Mandir of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder Acarya of the ISKCON,this is where his body was laid to rest after he left this world and returned to the spiritual world. Devotees chant the Maha Mantra, both to themselves and in public, following the teachings of Lord Gauranga, who taught that self-realization is attained by devotion to God. You have to be careful of the monkeys, because if you give them a chance, they will steal anything they can from you, they especially go for eyeglasses, bananas and other fruits.
Yamuna river is the most sacred in India. The main reason it is so sacred is because it flows through Vrindavan and Mathura, and was thus intimately connected to Lord Krisna’s pastimes. One who bathes in Yamuna can be purified of all sinful reactions and attain love of Godhead.
Mathura is an extremely important pilgrimage city where Lord Krishna was born 5000 years ago. Mahmud of Ghanzi sacked Mathura in 1017. At that time Mathura was considered one of the richest cities in the world. Both Sikander Lodi and Aurangzeb destroyed temples in Mathura and Vrindavan. The Muslims would sometimes take the Deities from the temple and bury them under the steps of a mosque. Krishna Janmastan the first temple was constructed almost 5000 years ago by Vajranabha, the great-grandson of Krishna. This temple was so grand that it was said that neither painting nor description could describe it. Yamuna river is very near and we will rent a boat and take a pleasant ride. Everyday there is a sunset Aroti offered to Yamuna at Vishram Ghat.
Govardhan hill was about 3km high 5000 years ago, but because of the curse of Pulastya Muni, it is sinking the height of a sesame seed daily. Presently at its highest point the hill is just 25m high. The parikrama (circumambulation) route is 25km. It is a form of worship to walk around Govardhan Hill. Of all the devotees of Krishna Govardhana is the best because it supplies Krishna and Balarama with all types of necessities. Near Govardhana are many holy places and kundas (ponds), the most important are Radha Kunda and Syama Kunda, Govinda Kunda, Apsara Kunda, Kusum Sarovara and more.
The best time to walk around Govardhana is during the auspicious Kartika (October-November) month. We are doing this Prikrama since 1995 and have personal experience how our life changed in every respect since then. Usually pilgrims arrive in the morning take breakfast and walk slowly enjoin the spiritual atmosphere of the place. IT is mentioned in the scriptures that all the desires we carry on this parikrama will be fulfilled both spiritual and material.
Kokilavan is forest where the famous Shani (Saturn) Mandir is located. Many people go on Saturday to worship Shani who is malefic planet that brings a lot of struggle in person’s life. The deity of Saturn is made from black marble and is sitting on a bull. Pilgrims pour mustard oil on the deity and chant “Shanidev Maharaja Ki Jai” while waiting in a long line to get to the altar. You can offer special Shani Puja in this place by giving small donation to the priest.
Varshana is where Srimati Radharani lived and had many pastimes with Krisna. There are four peaks that make up Varshana; each one of these peaks represents a head of Lord Brahma. On top of one of these hills is the Larily lal Mandir, the temple of the beloved, which is where the original Radha-Krishna deities of Varshana reside. There are colorful pictures on the walls and ceilings, depicting the loving pastimes of Radha and Krisna. This temple is very important place to visit. On the way locals sell their famous Lassi drink made of yogurt, sugar and rose water.
Vrinda Kunda is very peaceful place with a small temple in the middle of the paddy fields just across the road from Nandagram. We visit this place for meditation and relaxation, it is mind saturating with its beauty and simple rural atmosphere. When the water is warm and clean it is possible to take bath there.