ISKCON Temple, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai Mandir — Attraction in West Bengal

Panihati: The Festival of Punishment

Panihati is the name of a village located in the state of West Bengal, on the banks of River Ganges (10 miles north of Kolkata).Why is it known as The Festival of Punishment

Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami a personal associate of Mahaprabhu was a devotee of the highest order. He displayed a spirit of renunciation and detachment from the material world at a very early age. He wanted to leave home and join Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in His mission. But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked him not to do so and assured that Krishna would deliver him soon from the clutches of Maya. Two years later, Nityananda Prabhu came to Panihati and stayed there. Raghunatha dasa, who was staying in the nearby village of Srikrishnapura took permission from his father Govardhan Mazumdar and went to Panihati to meet Nityananda Prabhu. At Panihati, he saw Nityananda Prabhu sitting on a rock under a banyan tree on the banks of the River Ganges. He was surrounded by many devotees. Raghunatha dasa was hesitant to approach the Lord and paid obeisances from a distance. But some of the devotees noticed him and informed Nityananda Prabhu. Lord Nityananda called Raghunatha dasa and said “Raghunatha dasa! You are hiding like a thief. Now I have caught hold of you. Come here. I shall punish you today.’’ Then Lord Nityananda forcibly caught him and put His lotus feet on the head of Raghunatha Dasa. He ordered Raghunatha to celebrate a big festival and serve all the devotees – with yogurt and chipped rice.

dadhi, ciḍā bhakṣaṇa karāha mora gaṇe” śuni’ ānandita haila raghunātha mane “Make a festival and feed all My associates yogurt and chipped rice.” Hearing this, Raghunātha dāsa was greatly pleased."

Raghunatha dasa immediately sent his men to the nearby villages to purchase all kinds of eatables. They brought chipped rice (chida), milk, yogurt, sweetmeats, bananas, sugar, and other eatables. The chipped rice was soaked in milk. Half of that was then mixed with yogurt, sugar and bananas. The remaining half was mixed with condensed milk and flavored with clarified butter and camphor. All the devotees received two earthen pots, one with chipped rice mixed with yogurt and another with chipped rice mixed with condensed milk. The Chida-dahi Mahotsava is celebrated every year in commemoration of this wonderful pastime. This festival is also known as Danda Mahotsava (the Festival of Punishment). It is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the bright moon in the month of Jyeshta (May-June). To this day, pilgrims visit Panihati to celebrate the Chida-dahi Festival. Nityananda Prabhu’s pastimes with Mahaprabhu in Panihati

When everyone had been served chipped rice, Lord Nityananda Prabhu brought Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu there in meditation. When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu arrived, Lord Nityananda Prabhu stood up and They saw the others enjoying the chipped rice with yogurt and condensed milk. From every pot, Lord Nityananda Prabhu took one morsel of chipped rice and jokingly pushed it into the mouth of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu too smilingly, took a morsel of food and pushed it into the mouth of Nityananda and laughed as He made Lord Nityananda eat it. In this way, Lord Nityananda walked through all the groups of eaters, and all the Vaishnavas standing there saw the fun. No one could understand what Nityananda Prabhu was doing as He walked about. Some, however, who were very fortunate, could see that Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was also present. Then Nityananda Prabhu smiled and sat down. On His right side, He kept four pots of chipped rice that had not been made from boiled paddy. Lord Nityananda offered Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu a place and had Him sit down. Then together the two brothers began eating chipped rice. Seeing Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu eating with Him, Lord Nityananda Prabhu became very happy and exhibited varieties of ecstatic love. Lord Nityananda Prabhu ordered, “All of you eat, chanting the holy name of Hari.” Immediately the holy names “Hari, Hari” resounded, filling the...

The ISKCON Temple, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai Mandir, located in Panihati, is a beautiful and serene temple that offers both spiritual solace and a vibrant cultural experience. This temple is a prominent center for devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Gaur Nitai, who are revered for spreading the love and teachings of Lord Krishna.

The moment you step into the ISKCON Temple, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai Mandir, you are greeted by a sense of tranquility and spirituality. The temple is beautifully constructed with traditional Vaishnavite architecture, which adds to the overall divine ambiance. The temple’s interiors are adorned with intricate carvings, ornate deities, and colorful decorations that create a peaceful and reverential atmosphere. The air is filled with the chanting of mantras and the sound of the conch, which makes it a truly immersive experience for the visitors.

The temple premises are impeccably clean and well-maintained, with lush green gardens that enhance the serene and peaceful environment. The area around the temple is ideal for spiritual reflection and meditation, making it a great place for both devout followers and those looking for some inner peace.

As a center of ISKCON practices, the Sri Sri Gaur Nitai Mandir offers a wide range of spiritual activities throughout the day. The morning aarti and kirtan (devotional chanting) are a must-experience, as they create a vibrant and spiritually uplifting environment. Devotees sing Hare Krishna mantras, and the chants resonate throughout the temple, filling everyone with a sense of joy and devotion.

The temple is particularly lively during special festivals such as Janmashtami, Nandotsav, Gaura Purnima, and Rathyatra, where devotees gather in large numbers to offer prayers and partake in celebrations. These festivals are vibrant with devotional singing, dancing, and joyous processions, making them unforgettable events for anyone who participates.

One of the key highlights of the ISKCON temple is the offering of prasadam (sanctified food). The temple serves a variety of vegetarian meals, which are offered as prasadam to the deities and then distributed to devotees and visitors. The food served is not only delicious but also prepared with great care, adhering to the strictest standards of cleanliness and purity. The prasadam is free of charge and is a favorite among the temple visitors. The meals at ISKCON are made with fresh ingredients and are highly nutritious. They serve as a reminder of the temple’s focus on simplicity, purity, and devotion. It’s a wonderful way for people to experience the spiritual connection through food, as it is considered a divine blessing.

It is not just a place for spiritual practices but also a vibrant community center. The temple is a gathering place for people of all ages, from young children to the elderly, all coming together in the spirit of devotion and service. It is a place where the spiritual teachings of Lord Krishna and Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are shared through Bhakti yoga, creating a warm and welcoming community of devotees.

আধ্যাত্মিক সান্ত্বনা, সম্প্রদায়ের সংযোগ এবং কৃষ্ণভাবনামৃতের গভীর উপলব্ধি খুঁজছেন এমন যে কোনও ব্যক্তির জন্য পানিহাটির ইসকন শ্রী শ্রী গৌর নিতাই মন্দির একটি অসাধারণ স্থান। আপনি ভক্ত হোন বা শান্তি এবং আধ্যাত্মিক বিকাশের সন্ধানকারী দর্শনার্থী হোন, এই মন্দিরটি একটি উত্থান এবং সমৃদ্ধ অভিজ্ঞতা প্রদান করে।

এর শান্ত পরিবেশ, ভক্তিপূর্ণ উপাসনা অনুশীলন, সুস্বাদু প্রসাদ এবং সাংস্কৃতিক কর্মকাণ্ডের সাথে, শ্রী শ্রী গৌর নিতাই মন্দির পরিদর্শনকারী প্রত্যেকের জন্য একটি অবিস্মরণীয় অভিজ্ঞতা প্রদান করে। এটি প্রতিফলন, ভক্তি এবং সমমনা সম্প্রদায়ের সাথে সংযোগ স্থাপনের জন্য একটি দুর্দান্ত জায়গা। আপনি প্রার্থনার এক মুহূর্ত বা প্রাণবন্ত উৎসবে অংশগ্রহণের জন্য সেখানে থাকুন না কেন, অভিজ্ঞতা আধ্যাত্মিকভাবে...

I have visited Sri Sri Gaur Nitai temple at Panihati many times and feel like visiting the temple again and again. The heritage of place with Vaishnava culture and practices is amazingly maintained by Radhapada Prabhuji very well. Panihati is a unique place with temples and ghats on bank of river Ganges and stories of visits of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu and many spiritual leaders which makes experience in this place very interesting. For me it is one of the best wonders of the world where you find peace and happiness. Chira Mela and many other festivals are very well organised throughout the year by which devotees gets attracted. Sri Sri Prabhupada has left a wonderful legacy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which ISKCON devotees are continuing. I hope Panihati Municipal Corporation also work in coordination to enrich the experiences as many devotees across the globe keep visiting this place throughout the year. One must visit this place once atleast in...