One day at ISKCON Mayapur

Mayapur, a small unknown village has come up to the world map as the Headquarters of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) which is situated here. Mayapur is located in West Bengal state, in the district of Nadia, 130 km from Calcutta city (now Kolkata). It is located on the bank of the Ganges and on the other bank, a small town Nabadwip is located. Nabadwip means nine islands. There are two large holy rivers, the Ganges and Jalangi flowing between these islands.

Mayapur is the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, regarded as a special incarnation of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Godhead and therefore it is considered as a holy place by Hindus and specially by the followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. It is visited by a large number of pilgrims from around the World, every year.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) also known as ‘The Hare Krishna’ movement, was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktibedanta Swami Prabhupada. Since the 1970s, Mayapur is also the site of the world headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) as well as a number of other Vaishnava organisations such as the Gaudiya Math. At Mayapur ISKCON has a sprawling campus studded with natural beauty.

Chandrodaya Temple, Mayapur

Today ISKCON Mayapur serves as an international center of pilgrimage and spiritual tourism. The Deities of Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Sri Chaitanya and the Pancha-tattva preside over a temple for thousands to enjoy daily congregational chanting.

In Mayapur campus, it is amazing to see the young and middle aged ladies and gents from all over the world, specially western countries. It is unbelievable to see that leaving their wealthy western luxurious lifestyle, they come to Mayapur in quest of peace, happiness and meaningful life. As seen in the campus, they are seems to be totally devoted to simple and spiritual lifestyle.

Today we are not seriously religious about our religion or religious rituals but it made me surprised to that the ISKCON devotees are practicing our Indian cultures, rituals seriously which our young generation is reluctantly accept. When our young generation is blindly accepts or consider acceptability of western cultures in their lives, what made these people to turn to East (Through ISKCON) ?

 

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