NABADWIP & MAYAPUR TOURISM
NABADWIP and Maypur located at a distance of around 130 km from Kolkata, is a spiritual tourism destination and a popular weekend tourist itinerary from nearby areas.
While Nabadwip lies on the west bank of river Jalangi and river Bhagirathi, Mayapur is situated at the confluence of river Jalangi and Bhagirathi. These two temple towns are famous for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Iskcon Temple respectively.
While some believe, Nabadwip is the birth place of 16th century mystic, saint and philosopher Chaitanya Mahaprabu, incarnate of Shri Krishna, others are of the opinion that the great spiritual seeker was born at Mayapur. Bhaktibinod Thakur, who had established Mayapur and ascertained the birth place of the Mahaprabhu there, built a temple at the spot known as Jogpeeth.
While there are hundreds of age-old temples in this historical Nabadwip, Mayapur too is dotted with temples and is considered a sacred pilgrimage by followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. The worldwide headquarters of Iskcon in Mayapur, the centre of all attraction, is a beautifully designed township with guesthouses, temples, gardens, goshala etc.
The serene surroundings, spiritual energy and cultural significance make it an unforgettable destination for those seeking spiritual enlightenment and cultural exploration.
HOW TO REACHNabadwip & Mayapur can be reached from Kolkata by train from both Howrah and Sealdah station and also by public bus from Esplanade. There are Iskcon operated buses as well from Kolkata, details of which can be obtained from their website. However, travelling by bus can be more tedious and time consuming.
If travelling from Howrah station, then one can either avail of the Katwa local and deboard at Nabadwip Dham station or opt for any mail or express train that stop here. It takes about 2 hours 15 mins by local train.
Visitors need to take a 3-wheeler to reach the Mayapur ghat, about 2.5 km away and cross the river by boat to reach Mayapur.
And those boarding the local train from Sealdah station have to reach Krishnanagar Junction, which takes about 2 hours 30 mins.
Outside Krishnanagar station, one has to take a 3-wheeler to Mayapur ghat at Swarupganj, about 20 km away and cross the river by boat to reach Mayapur. Krishnanagar to Mayapur buses are also available.
Number of Days - Two Nights Best Time - Except Monsoons.
NABADWIP
PLACES TO VISIT
1) RADHA RANI MANDIR
Radha Rani Mandir, dedicated to Goddess Radha, is one of the most popular temples of Nabadwip run by Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission. A story goes that Radha ran away to the jungle to avoid Krishna and was found on the full moon night. Ever since all purnimas are specially commemorated here.
Tourists should watch a light show held here depicting Lord Krishna's different attributes and actions.
Timings - 1.30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed) Entry Fee - 10 INR
2) GOURANGA JANMASTHAN
There is a confusion in the location of Gouranga Janmasthan or the birth place of the Mahaprabhu Chaitanya. While some believe he was born at Nabadwip, another opinion goes that his birth place was at Mayapur. Tourists can explore both the places.
The Janmasthan at Nabadwip is a peaceful large compound where one finds a small temple with the idol of child Chaitanya in his mother's lap under a neem tree where the the Mahaprabhu had been born.
Timings - 1.30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed) Entry Fee - Not Applicable
3) SHRI CHAITANYA SARASWAT MATH
Shri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, also known as ‘Jal Mandir’ is a beautiful temple located inside a pond, where priests reach the temple every day in a boat to offer prayers. The entire area looks very charming and spiritual.
This temple, dedicated to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was established in 1941 by Srila Sridhar Maharaj, and is one of the prominent attractions of tourists and spiritual seekers.
Timings - 1.30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed) Entry Fee - Not Applicable
4) GOUR GOPINATH JIU TEMPLE
Another revered temple here is the Gour Gopinath Jiu Temple, located close to the Goranga Janmasthan, which has a towering 60 feet statue of Mahaprabhu Chaitanya.
The entrance gives one the feeling of going through a cave, where different identities and actions of the Mahaprabu have been depicted through numerous models in a well maintained garden environment. There is a museum as well narrating different divine stories.
Timings - 1.30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed) Entry Fee - 10 INR
5) SONAR GOURANGA MANDIR
Sonar Gouranga Mandir, located opposite of Shri Samajbari Ashram is one of the famous temples dedicated to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It was established in by Pratap Chandra Goswami, one of his disciples. Here, footwear of the Mahaprabhu is kept in a glass case.
Timings - 1.30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed) Entry Fee - 10 INR
6) PORAMA TEMPLE
Poramatala is the central business hub of Nabadwip town, where the ancient Porama Temple, dedicated to Ma Bhabatarini and Shiv Bhabataran are located. The Porama name was coined because this revered temple was burnt down in a fire long back.
This area, being the market place, tourists can do their shopping here.
Timings - 1.30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed) Entry Fee - Not Applicable
7) SAMAJBARI MANDIR
Samajbari Mandir is another very important temple here, which was founded by established by Radharaman Charan Das Dev. The temple has idols of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Radha and Krishna as also the statue of Radharaman Das. There are a few other temples as well in this compund.
Bhog is served here daily.
Timings - 1.30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed) Entry Fee - Not Applicable
MAYAPUR
PLACES TO VISIT
1) ISKCON CAMPUS
The ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) campus in Mayapur is a sprawling spiritual complex featuring a variety of attractions, where tourists should spend one full day.
The magnificent Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, also known as the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium is an architectural marvel. It houses beautiful deities of Radha-Madhava, Pancha-Tattva, and Lord Nrsimhadeva. The temple holds daily rituals, kirtan (devotional chanting), and discourses on Vedic philosophy, and hosts grand festivals throughout the year.
The campus also includes residential quarters for devotees, guesthouses for visitors, and a Goshala (cow sanctuary) where cows are lovingly cared for. The campus features gardens, walkways, and serene spots for meditation and contemplation.
Timings - 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. Entry Fee - Free
2) YOGA PEETH
Yoga Peeth is the birth place of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Shri Bhakti Binod Thakur was instrumental in identifying the birthplace of the great saint at Mayapur and establishing a temple on the same land in 1880.
This white temple with 30 meter high towers is also a centre for yoga, meditation and Vedic studies. The neem tree under which Shri Chaitanya was born is still there. Clay models depicting the life and philosophies of the saint are displayed here.
A small shrine dedicated to Bhakti Binod Thakur is also present. All tourists must visit this place.
Timings - Not Applicable Entry Fee - Free
3) SREE CHAITANYA MATH
Sree Chaitanya Math, also known as Mashir Bari was founded by Acharya of the Gaudiya Math, namely Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja. It is a center for learning and spiritual practice, and is home to a number of temples and shrines.
The Math is dedicated to Radha Govinda and has four altars dedicated to the Vaishnava acharyas namely Sri Nimbarka, Sri Madhvacarya, Sri Ramanujacarya and Sri Visnuswami.
Timings - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. 8 p.m. Entry Fee - Free
4) SRI JAGANNATHA TEMPLE
Sri Jagannatha Temple is a 500-year old shrine set up by Jagadish Ganguly at Rajapur in Mayapur based on divine manifestations through his dream. It has idols of Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra.
The temple, now under the management of Iskcon has beautifully maintained pond, park, walkways and garden for a pleasant experience.
Timings - 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed) Entry Fee - Free
5) BALLAL DHIPI
Ballal Dhipi, the ruins of a historic site, is named after Ballala Sena, a king of the Sena dynasty which ruled Bengal in the 12th century. It a large brick structure in the shape of a mound with various antiquities.
An excavation by Archaeological Survey of India revealed the remains of a Buddhist stupa or vihara, possibly built between the 8th and 13th centuries.
For tourists, this is a place of historical interest.
Timings - Not Applicable Entry Fee - Free