Ghatas
Vrddha Shiva or Shiva Doba
Directions:Turn right outside the ISKCON main gate and proceed down Bhaktisiddhanta Road. Just after the first turn in the road there is a small bridge and just after that is a path on the left side of the road where you will see some houses. This is the area of Vrddha Shiva Ghata.
It is believed that a Shiva Linga was found in this area, which is now worshiped behind the birth site of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This Shiva Linga is called Vrddha Shiva, or Ksetra Pala, the protector (guardian) of the holy dhama. One should worship the merciful Lord Shiva to obtain the blessing of devotional service to the Supreme Lord Krishna. During the time of Lord Caitanya, a temple of Vrddha Siva existed at this place but was later covered by the Ganga. This is where the Praudha Maya energy (yoga-maya) eternally resides. There are two Siva Lingas at this small temple inside the Yoga Pitha campus. One of the Lingas was found near the culvert at Mayapur Polyclinic. That place is now known as Shiva Doba or Vrddha Shiva.
Mahaprabhu Ghata
Directions:Six meters north of Vrddha Siva Ghata is a dried up riverbed that indicates where Ganga used to flow.
In Chilhood Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu as Nimai would bath here every day, sometimes spending six to eight hours playing in Ganga's waters and performing many wonderful pastimes with His Friends. This is also where Ganga Devi performed austerities having desire that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu perform His Pastimes in her waters, just as He did in Jamuna water in Vrindavana.
Jagai and Madhai Ghata
Direction:Thirty meter north of Mahaprabhu Ghata.
"Just see the difference between Vraja-tattva and Navadvipa-tattva. The offenders of Krishna get the liberation of merging in the Lord's body, where as in Navadvipa, the offenders receive the rare treasure of love of Godhead. Gaura-lila therefore may be considered the highest of all."
Jagai and Madhai were born into a high class brahmana family in Navadvipa. Their names were Jagannatha and Madhavananda Raya, the sons of Raghunatha Raya. Due to bad association they became meat eaters, drunkards, debauchees, gamblers, and murderers. Because they caused so many disturbances, respectable people avoided them completely.
When Lord Caitanya inaugurated the Sankirtan movement He told Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakura “Listen Nityananda and Haridasa, travel everywhere and tell people about My teachings. Go to every house and beg everyone this -
balo Krishna, bhaja Krishna, laha krishna nama
krishna mata, krishna pita, krishna prana dhana
toma soba lagiya krishnera avatara,
hena krishna bhajo, saba chado anacara
'Chant Krishna's name, worship Krishna and accept Krishna's holy name from others. Krishna is your mother, Krishna is your father and Krishna is the treasure of your life breath. Krishna has incarnated just for your benefit, so please worship this merciful Krishna and give up all improper activities.' ”
Since Jagai and Madhai were the most fallen, the two preachers Nityananda and Haridasa Thakura decided that they were suitable candidates to receive the Lord's mercy. They approached Jagai and Madhai and asked them to chant the holy names of Krishna. Jagai and Madhai became enraged and chased Nityananda and Haridasa, who had to run for their lives. The next day, Madhai struck Nityananda on the head with a piece of an earthen pot, making Him bleed. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard this, He immediately came to the spot, ready to punish both brothers.
But when the all merciful Gauranga saw Jagai's repentant behavior, He immediately embraced him. By seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face and being embraced by Him, both of the sinful brothers were at once cleansed. Thus they received initiation into the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra from the Lord and were delivered. This place is approximately 30 meters north of Mahaprabhu Ghata.
adyapiha cihna ache
caitanya kripaya
'madhaira ghata bali'
sarva loke gaya
"By the mercy of Lord Caitanya, the ruins of that place still exist, which everyone refers to as Madhai-ghata."
After deliverance Madhai met with Nityananda Prabhu in a solitary place and said,
“Oh my Lord! You are present within the heart of each and every living entity. I have harmed many such living entities. If I have harmed then I could beg forgiveness from them, but I do not know as there have been so many. Please tell me how all those people, against whom I have committed so many offenses, might become pleased with me. If you are merciful upon me then kindly, advise me what to do.”
Lord Nityananda replied, "Please listen, I will instruct you. Regularly go and clean the bathing ghata on the Ganga. When the people take bath there happily then all of them will bless you. If you serve Ganga-Devi who eradicates all offenses then what more good fortune is there for you than doing this service? You should also offer obeisance to everyone with great humility. If you do this then all will forgive you for your offenses." After receiving this advice Madhai circumambulated Lord Nityananda many times and then left. Everyone saw how Madhai was preparing the bathing ghata on the Ganga very nicely while chanting the holy name of Sri Krishna and shedding tears.
Madhai would show much respect to anyone who came to the Ganga and offer them his humble obeisance. He would beg for forgiveness saying, "I have committed many offenses, knowingly and unknowingly unto you. Kindly excuse me for all my offenses and bless me."
Everyone would cry when they saw the tears of Madhai and would remember Lord Govinda. Madhai began performing severe austerities there and became famous as a Brahamachari. He stayed on the bank of the Ganga absorbed in her darsana and with the help of a kodala (spade) he worked hard repairing the ghata. By the mercy of Lord Caitanya the ruins of that place are still visible and known by all as Madhai Ghata.
Barakrona Ghata
Directions:Ten meters north of Jagai and Madhai Ghata.
Visvambhara taught His students here on the bank of Ganga. It was a most beautiful Ghata with many gardens, flowering creepers, and birds chirping, creating a peaceful and transcendental atmosphere. It was built by Visvakarma, the architect of the demigods, on the order of Krishna. There were five temples and five Shiva Lingas here during Lord Caitanya's time. At this place Lord Caitanya defeated Keshava Kasmiri.
Nagariya Ghata
Directions:Ten meter (thirty meet) north of Barakrona Ghata.
Lord Caitanya came here with His huge sankirtana party on His way to defeat Chand Kazi. He would also bathe here on His way home from the school of Gangadasa Pandita, under whom He studied for two years. Nimai had many mischievous pastimes here while growing up. When He saw the young girls of Navadvipa worshiping Devi to get good husbands, He told them to worship Him instead if they wanted a rich and handsome husband. If they did not worship Him, they would get a poor and lame husband and would be co-wives. Some of the girls became angry with Visvambhara while others quickly offered Him everything in fear that His words would come true. This ghata is also where Sachimata saw Laksmipriya for the first time and selected her as the future wife of her son.
Here Nimai would sometimes splash water on the brahmanas while they were chanting their mantras. The brahmanas would complain to Jagannatha Mishra. Jagannatha Mishra would then come to the ghata with a stick in his hand to chastise Nimai, who would rush home by another route and smear dust and drops of ink on His body. His hair would be dried by the hot sun on the way home, making it appear that He had not been at the ghata and that He had, in fact, been studying. Jagannatha Mishra, on his return, would see no visible proof of his son's naughtiness and would not chastise Him. Like this Naughty Nimai did many mischievous pastimes here.
Ganganagara
Directions:It is said this place is located in the open field next to the Sridhama Mayapur Post Office which is on the corner just past Yoga Pttha. While this is the location accepted as being the place, it is also said this ghata is presently covered by Ganga. In the map dated 1500, it is shown as the last ghata and marks the border of Antardvipa with Mayapur.
Ganganagara is the place where King Bhagiratha worshiped Ganga devi and where he remained until Phalguna Purnima to celebrate the appearance day of Lord Gauranga. The city of Ganganagara was established by King Bhagiratha of the Raghu dynasty.
King Bhagiratha of the Raghu dynasty was taking Ganga Devi to his ancestors for her sacred waters to purify them of their offense to Lord Kapiladeva. Ganga Devi however stopped when he reached here. The king returned to find Ganga Mata performing austerities here and he also did the same. After a short time, she appeared to the king and asked him to wait by saying,"
"My dear son, you should wait here without anxiety for some days. I have come to Navadvipa Dhama during the month of Magha (January-February) and I will stay here until the end of the Phalguna month (February-March). At that time I will proceed and deliver your forefathers. Bhagiratha! I am coming from the lotus feet of the Lord. This Navadvipa Dhama is the abode of my Lord and I feel much satisfaction here. The appearance of my Lord is on Phalguna Purnima day. On that day I will follow a vrata here, and then only will I follow you. Do not fear."
Lord Nityananda, in the Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya, says, "On the Phalguna Purnima," one who fasts, takes bath in the Ganges here, and worships Gauranga, will cross over the material ocean along with his ancestors. Along with one thousand ancestors, he attains Goloka after death no matter where he dies."
