The place I even go in my dreams

In the Nadia district of West Bengal, 4 hours of drive from Kolkata, along the banks of the Ganges, is my favorite place on earth.

Its the Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, also known as Iskcon Mayapur.

The town, was 500 years ago one of the hubs of Sanskrit Education. Scores of scholars would meet at this place to debate in Sanskrit on diverse topics.

This is place is most sacred to the Gaudiya Vaishnavas, a sect of Vaishnavas whose congregation started at this very place and whose legacy continues all over the world, through ISKCON.

Its the birthplace of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation of Lord Krishna in the form of his devotee.

This temple was built in the 1970's by Srila Prabhupad, the founder of the ISKCON movement, to facilitate the practice of the Vaishnava culture, at one of its many hubs and a principal one at that.

My connection with this place began right at the age of 4. And after that went in 1997, 2000, 2003, 2007 & 2009.

I have played, lived and loved this place over the years. Its a huge farmland, which hosts a temple surrounded by many buildings.

The main temple has the deities of Radha and Madhava- one of the names of Krsna. They are life-size six foot high deities and my favorite of all.

There also deities of Narsimhadeva, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu who rescued his devotee Prahlad from being murdered by his own father.

And then are the deities of Panca tattva, they are Chaitanya Mahaprabhu along with his associates who spread the Hare Krishna movement, 500 years back.

Surrounding this temple are numerous buildings, which are residential quarters for the guests who come here. There are facilities for the local community who stay there, an international residential school. Farms, practicing self sustenance. A goshala with a lot of cows! Two huge halls for serving free meals for everyone who come by. And most of all the memorial for Srila Prabhupad, a heavenly sight, a domed structure which is a temple in memory of his life of dedication.

There a few restaurants within the campus.

What I love about the place is the disconnect from urban life, its calmness, the sweet people, I get puchkas-sandesh and authentic italian spaghettis,(which is not masaaledar mind you), made by an italian married to indian lady.

The practice of vedic culture with the modern twangs is what appeals the most, and I find a lot more connect and balance just in the atmosphere of that place.

I even dream at night of being there, quite often.
For more info on this place go to www.mayapur.com

and to view Live Darshan from there - log in to www.mayapur.tv
----Thank you---------