Mayapur, 130 km north of
Kolkata,
West Bengal, is a major holy place in India and the world headquarters of
ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. This is considered to be the birthplace of the 16th century Hindu saint
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the initiator of the Bhakti Movement.
One of the major highlights in Mayapur is the Gaura Mandala area, over 200 km in diameter and with the Ganges running through it. This is like a hundred-petaled lotus with the Navadvipa (nine islands) as the center. The ISKCON Chandrodaya Mandir, the headquarters of ISKCON, has a
Radha-Madhava temple. The largest temple to be built in India in the last 200 years is under construction here. Yogapitha (the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), the Shri Chaitanya Math,
Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi, Sri Srivasa Angan, Chand Kazi’s Samadhi and Bhakti Vinoda Thakura’s House are other attractions.
Mayapur is connected by road from
Krishnanagar and Kolkata. One can also take the ferry across the Bhagirathi River from Navadvipa. The nearest airport is Dumdum, and railway stations are Navadvipa and Krishnanagar.
