Hamsa Vahana Siva Temple
At Hamsa Vahana there is a small temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The deity comes here only three days in a year, on the Purnima (full moon) day in the month of Caitra (March-April). The rest of the time Lord Siva is kept underwater in a nearby lake called Alakananda Kunda to cool down his fiery anger. The name Hamsa Vahana refers to Lord Brahma’s swan carrier. Hamsa means “swan,” and vahana means “carrier.” About 50,000 people come for this festival. While the Siva-linga is in the temple for three days, water is constantly poured on him or the linga will become to heated. The Siva-linga got hot because of Lord Siva’s desire to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This festival takes place about 3 weeks after the Gaura Purnima festival.
Desiring to hear narrations about Lord Caitanya, once Lord Siva (five-faced Mahadeva Siva) decided to come hear Suta Gosvami, who was discussing Gaura-lila here. He left Mount Kailash on his bull carrier, Nandi. Because Nandi was too slow he rode on Lord Brahma’s swan carrier. When Lord Siva arrived here he listened to Suta Gosvami describing the glories of Lord Gauranga. The Siva-linga here is riding on a swan.
How To Get Here The temple where the Deity is brought to is about 2 km south of Bhaktivinoda’s house. The lake where the Siva-linga is kept most of the year is about 1 km away, in the middle of some fields. The place where the Siva-linga is kept in the lake is surrounded by a wooden fence that encircles the linga, about 4 feet wide. There is a large tree next to the lake.
