My dear Diksa, Siksa, Shelter, Aspiring disciples and well wishers,
Please accept my blessings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to
Navadvipa Mandala!
Srila Prabhupada refers to a famous statement of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
in one of his lectures wherein the Thakura asserts that Navadvipa Mandala is
the best place in the whole universe. Lord Chaitanya’s mercy is
all-pervading here. Our previous acharyas Jagannatha Dasa Babaji,
Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura have stressed the great significance of Navadvipa Dhama.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura personally
developed the Dhama and conducted parikramas here. They wanted these
parikramas to be held every year. Srila Prabhupada, following in their
footsteps, ordered us to continue with the development of Navadvipa Mandala.
He personally led us on parikrama and ordered that we hold it every year.
Srila Prabhupada gave me some personal instructions on the development of
Navadvipa Mandala. He had tears in his eyes and his throat choked up while
expressing his gratitude to his disciples for helping to develop Navadvipa
Mandala. He remarked “The secret of advancement in Krishna consciousness is
to please the previous acharyas”. The six Goswamis developed Vrindavana
Dhama on the order of Lord Chaitanya; we have the great honor and unmatched
blessing of developing Navadvipa Dhama on the order of Srila Prabhupada and
the previous acharyas.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has proclaimed that by performing Navadvipa
Mandala Parikrama the whole world will be liberated. It is the duty of Lord
Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s followers to protect the pastime places in His abode.
Many of these places have been sold off to people who are unaware of its
spiritual significance. For instance, near Jahnu Muni’s Ashram, a chicken
hatchery has been established. Similarly most places in Naimisharanya are
not available. We need to procure and protect these and other places in
Navadvipa Mandala which are in grave danger. There are many places which
have been identified by us and are yet to be protected.The price of land is
increasing and land encroachment is another problem.We need to act quickly
and promptly if we are to secure the pastime places of Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu in Navadvipa Mandala.
We have our own land at some places to provide night shelter for our
devotees participating in the annual ISKCON Navadvipa Mandala parikrama. At
other places we have to hire land. If we procure our own land at these other
places, we can have better arrangements for night shelter.
A trust named “Nabadwip Mandal Development Trust” has been established to
procure and develop all places connected with Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s
pastimes in Navadvipa Mandala. In order to progress with this monumental
work, the trust requires financial help from all of the Lord’s devotees.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura struggled to collect funds to begin the
development of Navadvipa Mandala. Following in his footsteps,
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also procured and developed
different places in Navadvipa Mandala. As followers of Srila Prabhupada, it
is now our turn to serve the Holy Dhama to the best of our ability.
I request you to take advantage of this great opportunity and extend your
help to serve the Supreme Lord’s abode. Any donation, big or small, will be
to your eternal credit and is sure to attract the abundant blessings of
Srila Prabhupada, the previous acaryas and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Please contact Bhakti Purusottama Swami at bps@pamho.net and/or
Sankarshan Nitai Das at snd@pamho.net for further details.
Your well-wisher always,
Jayapataka Swami