Harihara-ksetra (half Vishnu, half Siva deity) and Alakananda River
Harihara-kshetra is situated in Godrumadvipa on the eastern bank of the Alakananda River. At present this river is not flowing but a portion of the river is still visible. In the temple of Harihara-kshetra there is a deity who is half Lord Siva and half Lord Vishnu. The western side of the Alakananda is considered non-different from Kasi (Varanasi), in fact this place is greater than Kasi and known as Maha- Varanasi. Here Lord Siva is dancing, chanting the holy name “Gaura Gaura”. He offers his associates devotion unto Lord Gauranga. Sannyasis get liberation after cultivating jnana for thousands of years in Kasi. The devotees here at Maha-Varanasi reject that offer of liberation and dance in ecstasy chanting the holy name of Gauranga. Lord Siva delivers anyone who dies here by chanting the name of Gauranga in his ear at the time of death. Living entities have no fear at this Maha-Varanasi-dhama.
Explaining the glories of this place Lord Nityananda started to dance in ecstasy, offering gaura-prema to all the living entities. At that time Kailasa-pati Lord Siva invisibly came there and offered his obeisances to Lord Nityananda bowing his head in front of Him. Here Lord Siva and his consort Gauri chant the holy name of Gauranga to fulfil their desires.
Alakananda River
