tatomaha-prayagakhyam
panca-veni-samanvita
tirthamsri-jahnavimtirtva
koladvipamjagama ha
“The Lord visited the holy place called Maha-Prayaga and the Pancavenitirtha. He then crossed SriGanga-devi and entered Koladvipa.” (Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya,Pramana-khanda 4.42)
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes this holy place in his Navadvipa-bhavataranga: “Near Ucchatta is the place known as Pancaveni (five streams). It is considered a holy pilgrimage spot by the demigods, who come here on vacation. At this place the three streams of the River Ganga (Bhagirathi, Mandakini and Alakananda) along with the Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers all join together, desiring to perform service to Lord Gaura. Here Gaurahari and His associates take bath, thereby purifying the tirtha from all the sins left by the people of Kaliyuga. Vedavyasa and the assembly of rishis recognize that in all the fourteen worlds there is no place which could compare with Pancaveni. When will I bathe in the waters of the Pancaveni and thereby remember the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga? Filling the palms of my hands with the very water that has washed the feet of Gaura and drinking it, becoming madly intoxicated by topics about Lord Gaura, when will I be so blessed?” (Navadvipa-bhavataranga) After leaving Madhyadvipa one has to cross the River Ganga to enter the island of Koladvipa. Lord Nityananda explained the glories of the Ganga at this place, known as Pancaveni. At this place five rivers have joined together: Mandakini, Alakananda, Bhagirathi, Sarasvati and Yamuna. The Sarasvati flows here in her hidden form. The Bhogavati is flowing along with the Yamuna on its western side. Manasaganga is also flowing here with great speed. The rishiscall this place Maha- Prayaga and they perform millions of fire sacrifices here along with Lord Brahma. This holy spot is also known as Brahma-satra. Anyone who takes bath here will never take birth again in this material world. Who can describe the glories of this holy place? No other tirthacan be compared to the dry river bed at Maha-Prayaga.
Directions: when coming from BrahmanaPushkara and Uccahatta: Continue down the Navadvipa- Krishnanagar highway until just before the Gauranga Bridge.
