If you’re weighing your options about your next tourism destination, let us help you out. Adventure and thrilling vacations may make your heart race and make for an exciting time, but why not explore what spiritual tourism has to offer to your soul? After all, looking after your soul is vital for your mind and body. Visiting places that feed your inner light and restore your lost energy amid the humdrum of a hectic lifestyle should be a priority. One such beautiful destination can be found in West Bengal – Mayapur. In addition to having a fascinating history, there are several lovely places to visit in Mayapur that will give you the depth you so crave in life.
Here is everything you need to know about Mayapur before you start packing!
The history of this magical land is pretty captivating. Mayapur is a town on the island called Antardwip, one of the nine islands that come together to form Nabadwip. Nabadwip, which translates to a collection of nine islands, is a spiritual hub dedicated to different deities. With the River Ganges flowing gracefully around these nine islands, greenery and abundant rice fields are a blessing bestowed upon all of them. And like each of them, Antardwip has a back-story to its faith.
Mayapur, the land of the Golden Avatar, is commonly associated with Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is believed to be an incarnation of Shri Krishna about 500 years ago. He was the one who started the Krishna Movement. Mayapur came into being in 1970 when Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada laid the foundation of his spiritual base here. With the mental well-being of people in mind, he intended to create a space with an amazing cultural experience and education for the people to grow Krishna Consciousness.
Mayapur also became home to the beautiful ISKCON campus that is a lovely haven with awe-inspiring architecture.
Mayapur is a spiritual town and has areas of religious significance that cater to a large percentage of the country’s population. While on your trip, make sure you don’t miss these places to visit in Mayapur:
The ISKCON Chandrodaya temple is the global headquarters of the Krishna Consciousness movement. This temple is often referred to as the Lord’s paradise by visitors since it brings about such a healing experience for them. Green and naturally beautiful, the vast property has several places of worship dedicated to several deities that thousands of people visit each year. All the significant gods have idols established here and catch the attention of visitors with their intricate forms and designs. The founder of the temple, Acharya Srila Prabhupada, wanted this to be a place where people could come to observe silence and find their inner voice through peace. The site that attracts the highest number of followers is Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi Mandir, a shrine dedicated to the late spiritual leader. The marble dome glows softly under the early morning sun rays. Apart from visiting ISKCON, make sure you eat at Govinda Restaurant- a specialty of all ISKCON temples. The food is delicious and an absolute treat.
This wondrous place is the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He was born under a neem tree that is at the heart of Yoga Peeth. There is also a hut that illustrates the life of Saint Chaitanya, along with his philosophies. Yoga Peeth is a yoga center that is visited by people from around the world. When people come together in peace and collective consciousness, the positivity is unlike any other; you will witness that energy here. This place is exceptional because it is sure to teach you everything one needs to know about yoga, the Vedas and meditation. The structure is 30 meters tall and made of marble that serves to create a very soothing vibe. You can also spot the shrine of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur located close-by.
Chand Kazi was a person of the Islamic faith. He came to be known as the magistrate of Nabadwip who strongly revolted against the Harinam Sankritana movement in Mayapur. He also broke the mridanga of Srivash Pandit, the man who led the movement of Sankritana. Later in life, he went through a transformation, which made him a devoted disciple of Shri Chaitanya Prabhu. This Samadhi commemorates his transformation and ardent dedication.
If you love shopping to lift your spirits, this is the place for you to be! With beautiful Krishna idols, books, puja tools, and many more items, the market is always buzzing with life. The fragrance from the sweet-smelling flowers up for sale wafts all over the market and gives you that special feeling that is unique to every spiritual place. You can also buy yourselves and your loved ones a few clothes from here if you’d like. Visitors find it exciting to visit this market early in the morning since it is the liveliest during these hours.
Built by the Acharya of the Gaudiya Math, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja, this math is dedicated to Radha Govinda. It comprises of four altars, all built to show reverence to the Vaishnava Acharyas, namely Sri Madhavacharya, Sri Ramanujacharya, Sri Vishnuswami, and Sri Nimbarka.
Of all the places to visit in Mayapur, this one is poised to be an exciting one. There is no doubt that this temple will attract millions of visitors upon its completion. We say this because, with around 850 days remaining for its grand opening, it is one of the most anticipated projects in the spiritual, astronomical and astrological communities. A marvel in its own right, this temple is dedicated to the cosmos. With an area of 6 lac square feet and an altitude of 350 square feet, it seeks to illustrate the secrets of the Vedas. Vedic astrology has been enmeshed in the Indian society since ancient times, and the planetarium temple will show its devotees a glimpse of the universe as visualized in the Vedas. The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium will also have a prayer hall that can house 10,000 devotees in a single session. Imagine what this highly positive and enriching environment could give to a tired soul. Though this project is still in the pipeline, it is something worth looking forward to, especially if you want to plan your trip for a time post its completion.
Mayapur is a place so famous among devotees that it is visited throughout the year. However, if you want to make the most of your visit and catch the best experiences on this holy island town, the best time, without a doubt, would be between November and February. Winters are a fantastic time to plan your vacation in West Bengal since the weather is splendid.
The rain brings a lot of positivity and happiness with its showers during the paddy plantation season. You will witness a lot of pujas at this time too.
Summer is the least favourable time to visit since the sweltering heat makes it uncomfortable to travel and tour with ease.
1) By Air: The airport nearest to Mayapur is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport located in Kolkata. You can hire a cab from here since Mayapur is just about 117 kilometers away from Kolkata.
2) By Rail: No matter what city you live in, you can reach here easily owing to West Bengal’s connectivity to all cities of the country. If the railway is your choice of travel, you will need to reach Howrah Junction. From there, board a train to Nabadwip Dham. From Nabadwip Dham station, Mayapur is a mere 30 kilometers away, so you can easily hail a taxi to take you there.
3) By Road: A road trip will make your journey a lot more interesting if you are traveling with your friends or taking a solo trip. West Bengal has an excellent network of roadways well connected with our national highways. If you decide to travel by cab or bus, the nearest bus depot is called Krishnanagar, 20 Kilometres away from Mayapur.
India is a land of spirituality where a lot of people come to find themselves among different cultures and deities. We are indeed blessed to have such beautiful places to reach out to when life gets too monotonous, and the thrill of adventure loses its lustre. Your trip to Mayapur holds the promise of not just a mere vacation but a shift in your consciousness. The peace and serenity one witnesses at these beautiful sites are unique with the essence of universal love and gratitude. These places to visit in Mayapur will add to your experience, whether you are a person of faith or not. If nothing else, you will enjoy the stillness and simplicity of the island as you take a boat ride on the Ganges. The vibes are unmistakably healing, and you will be grateful for this break from your busy life!
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