Conducted under the guidance of
Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja

Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Mahara ja is personally inviting you all to attend Sri Navadvipa-mandala Parikrama in t he holy land of Sri Navadvipa-dhama.

This year, the festival will be inaugurated on March 5th, with the devotees performing sankalpa – a ceremonial vow to ensure the success of their parikrama. The final day will be the 12th of March.

Parikrama

On March 6th we will begin our five day Sri Navadvipa-mandala parikrama, a pilgrimage to each of Navadvipa’s nine incomparably beautiful islands. As we wind our way through these islands, we will chant in surcharged and compelling kirtanas that we will cherish forever, reverentially touch our head to the dust of the numerous places related to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes, and hear such hari-katha that will change our lives and strengthen our commitment to the path of Gaudiya Vaisnavism.  Our pilgrimage will be completed on March 10th.

Gaura Purnima

On March 11th we will celebrate the divine appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The temple room will resound with kirtana and harikatha will be given in both Bengali and English.

Many devotees honour Mahaprabhu’s appearance by going to bathe in the Ganga early in the morning. Devotees are encouraged to fast on this day. In the evening, just at the time of dusk, there is an abhishek of the deity of Mahaprabhu, accompanied by an extraordinarily sweet kirtana, followed by anukalpa Maha-prasadam.

Festival of Sri Jagannatha Misra

Overjoyed with the birth of his dear most son, Sri Jagannatha Misra held a grand festival, the day after the child’s birth. So, on March 12th, we will observe that festival with a delicious prasadam feast. On behalf of Sri Jagannatha Misra and mother Sacidevi, who have made all arrangements, Srila Maharaja is inviting us to participate.

The festival will be held at our temple, Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha.

Festival Facilities

Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha

According to Srila Maharaja’s desire, a beautiful lake-side temple is presently under construction. Furnished with a large prasadam hall, a massive kirtana hall, beautiful gardens, and three guesthouses, this grand structure is very impressive and beautiful.  

Standard facilities

Because building is still going on, a traditional Bengali-style tent camp of bamboo sticks, canvas, and straw mats will be set up on a strong foundation. There is adequate toilet and shower facility. If you prefer to bring your own tent, sleeping mat, and mosquito net, you are most welcome. Such simplicity serves to remind us how Navadvipa Parikrama was performed in previous times.

Extra options

Here you have two choices. There are hotel rooms at varying distances from the Matha. Their charges also vary. 

There are also simple rooms available for rent in the houses of the local residents. The average charge is between 100 and 200 rupees per room per day, depending on the facility offered.

Festival fees

A minimum contribution of Indian Rs. 1,500 per person is requested in order to cover the most basic expenses of the festival. This payment covers prasadam; electricity and water; the rental of the pandal and sound system; payment for various workers; cleaning costs and facilitating the many poor pilgrims from India.

We humbly request you to remember that this fee is a wonderful opportunity to facilitate the inconceivable benefit to be received from hearing the hari-katha of a spotlessly pure Vaisnava and performing parikrama under his guidance. In fact, we would not be able to repay this in countless life times.

 Registration

You can register and give your contribution to Tilaka-raja Prabhu at the entrance of the temple gate. There you will find Mani-mati dasi, Savitrie dasi, Sulata dasi, Vrinda-devi dasi and other devotees responsible for accommodating you inside or outside the temple complex. The facilities on Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha grounds will only be available from March 4th onwards. If you decide to arrive in Navadvipa-dham before this date, you will need to make your own arrangements for accommodation and prasadam. We trust that all of you will cooperate with the festival managers in this regard.

Please visit the Gaur Purnima 2009 travel page for more details about traveling to the dhama, how to maintain good health during your visit, and other practicalities.

For further information contact Brajanath dasa at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Vrinda-devi dasi at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please inform us by e-mail about your participation, especially if you will come with a group. In this way we can arrange suitable accommodation.

Getting there

By Train

From the Howrah train station in Kolkatta you can catch different trains to Navadvipa. More details are posted here. Our Matha is about 10 minutes away from the Navadvipa train station, which should cost you no more than Rs. 15 by rickshaw. For those who prefer to come by train, our advice is to be careful for your luggage.

By Taxi

For arranging a taxi to pick you up from the airport, train station, Burdwan,  Kolkatta or other places, you can contact our reliable local taxi service: Balai Saha of Gouri Travels at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (+91 973 220 9774) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further assistance. Below you’ll find his fare chart with prices from the places to the festival grounds.

Please visit the Gaura Purnima 2009 travel page for more details about traveling to the dhama, how to maintain good health during your visit, and other practicalities.

For further information contact Brajanath dasa at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Vrinda-devi dasi at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SCHEDULE 2009

Thursday, 5 March 2009

Arrival in Navadvipa-dhama and Adhivasa Festival of Sri Navadvipa-dhama Parikrama (Festival that marks the beginning of the annual seven-day parikrama). Sankalpa (taking of vows) at the Ganga.

Friday, 6 March 2009
 

(1)    Sri Antardvipa (“atmanivedanakhya”) – Sri Gaura Janmabhita in Sridhama Mayapura, Srivasa Angan, Sri Advaita Bhavan, Sri Caitanya Gaudiya Matha (Sri Candrasekhar Bhavan), Samadhi Mandir of Jagad-guru Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada, Sridhara Angan, Sri Murari Gupta pata, and Chand Kazi’s Samadhi. Lunch prasadam Sri Candrasekhar Bhavan. 

Saturday, 7 March 2009 

Fasting for Sri Ekadasi

(2)    Sri Rudradvipa (“sakhyakhya”) – Rudrapada, Sankarpura, Idrakapura and Gangeradanga.

(3)    Sri Simantadvipa (“sravanakhya”) – Simuliya, Saradanga, Meghara Cada, Belapukura, Samadhi darsana of Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja in the town of Navadvipa, Paudamatala (Praudha-maya-sthana). Ekadasi lunch prasadam at Sri Kesavji Gaudiya Matha, Navadvipa. 

Sunday, 8 March 2009 

Break fast for Ekadasi from 5.29am till 9.23 am. 

(4)    Sri Godrumadvipa (“kirtanakhya”) – After touching the Ganga and offering obeisances to Sri Gaura-Yogapitha in Sridhama Mayapura, there will be a procession to Swarupaganja, Gadigacha, Surabhi-kunja, Svananda-sukhada-kunja, Suvarna-vihara, Harihara-ksetra and Narasimha Palli. Prasadam and rest.

(5)    On the way back: Sri Madhyadvipa (“smaranakhya”), Majida, Hatdanga, Anandavasa, Vamanapura and Hansvahana.

Monday, 9 March 2009 

(6)    Sri Koladvipa (“padasevanakhya”) – Gadakhalir Kola, Tegharira Kola, Koleramada, Kolera Ganja, Kolera Daha, Samudra Gadha and Campahati.

(7)    Sri Ritudvipa (“arcanakhya”) – Ratupura. 

Tuesday, 10 March 2009 

(8)    Sri Jahnudvipa (“vandanakhya”) – Jannagara (Jahnumimisthan) and Vidyanagara (Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya pata).

(9)    Sri Modrumadvipa (“dasyakhya”) – Mamagachi (Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura pata). Noon prasadam and rest. On the way back – Arkatila and Ekadala and Matapura (Panca-pandavera-ajnatvasa).

Wednesday, 11 March 2009 

Fasting for SRI GAURA-PURNIMA. Sri Gaura-jayanti and sankirtana festival. Fasting till moonrise, then Ekadasi preparations only. Holi.

Thursday 12 March 2009

Break fast for Sri Sri Gaura-jayanti from 5:25am-09:22am. Festival of Sri Jagannatha Misra. Prasadam distribution and Vaisnava-homa yajna (Fire sacrifice and honoring the Vaisnavas). Departure.