Dear devotees,
Dandavat pranams.
We are very happy to announce to the whole community of devotees? the construction of a small but very important temple for Srimati simantini Devi at Sri Jagannath Mandir compound in Rajapur, Sri Mayapur dham. The construction will be under the guidance and supervision of His Grace Jananivas Prabhu, the head pujari of Sri Mayapur Candrodya Mandir. It is dedicated to that great Vaishnavi of the Lord, Srimati Simantini Devi, who is none other than Srimati Parvati Devi. She will perform the function of accepting prasada before distributing, as Vimala Devi in Puri Dham.
About the Murti:
The murti depicts Parvati Devi chanting and meditating on Lord Gauranga, as described in Sri Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya and under the direction of H.G. Jananivas prabhu. The murti will be carved in marble at Jaipur.
About the temple:
The temple will be located between the Jagannath Mandir and the banyan tree of Lord Siva, where according to Vastu it will attract a lot of visitors and will become something of a landmark in the area. The unique feature of the temple is that it will be fully clad in terra-cotta reliefs, inspired by the famous vaisnava temples of Vishnupur, after a visit there by H.G. Jananivas prabhu, H.G. Nitai Prasad prabhu and Drdha Vrata prabhu.
The Bhumipuja (ground-breaking) ceremony, to create auspiciousness for the temple construction, was done on 24th November. The yajna and other procedures were performed by H.G. Devrishi prabhu and presided by H.G. Jananivas prabhu and others.
Photos of the ceremony, visit to Vishnupur, artwork and updates can be viewed at this web album link: http://picasaweb.google.com/simantinidevi
The design and artistry of the Temple and the Deity are the result of the skills of the talented devotee Drdha Vrata prabhu.
About the history:
H.G. Jananivas prabhu narrated to us that, once during Navadvip Mandal Parikram, under the guidance of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, the devotees reached Simantadvip, near to Belpukur. At that place, where it is said to be the original place of Simantini Devi, there is a small temple, which has only temporary clay deities of Parvati for festivals and Shiva Linga as the permanent deity. A devotee suggested making and donating a marble Deity of Parvati to that temple. On the spot some funds were collected but then, H.H. Jayapataka Maharaja opposed the idea as non- Vaishnavas would come to that temple and offer tamasic food, which is against our standards and we would be unable to maintain a pujari out there.
Instead he suggested that we build a temple for Simantini within the Jagannath Mandir compound at Rajapur, which is also situated in Simantadvipa. His Holiness explained that the tradition which is followed at Puri Dham is that when the Prasad is removed from the altar of Lord Jagannath it is immediately offered first to Vimala devi (Parvati devi), and only then is it offered to the devotees and pilgrims. So, he suggested that we can also offer Lord Jagannath's mahaprasad to Simantini devi.
To this end, we are appealing to all devotees to please come forward and be amongst those fortunate enough to be part of this new project. Those who donate Rs 50,000/- or more will have an ornate terra-cotta tile made with their name inscribed on it and fixed to the temple base.
Simantadvipa is a very historical place and many nectarian pastimes took place there. It is the second island of Sri Navadvipa Dham and embodies the devotional mellow of Sravanam, hearing about the pastimes of the Lord. This is where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu delivered Chand Kazi, the Muslim Magistrate.
This temple and Deity will be unique in the world, as there is only one Simantadvipa in this Universe and at present there is no Deity of Simantini manifest here.
Details for sending donations:
You can send your cheques and transfers in ISKCON’s name, for which you will get an ISKCON receipt. Please email H.G. Pankajanghri prabhu when you send your donation, to keep track of it, mentioning also that it is for the Simantini project. His email is: Pankajanghri.ACBSP@pamho.net
Bank Transfer from outside India:
Name of account: ISKCON Gaura-purnima Festival Fund Account no.: 237010100071336 Swift code: AXISINBB005 Bank: AXIS Bank Ltd., 12 MM Ghosh Street, 1st Floor, Krishnanagar, District Nadia, 741101 West Bengal, INDIA
Bank transfer from Indian accounts:
Name of account: ISKCON Account no.: 237010100005944 Swift code: AXISINBB005 Bank: AXIS Bank Ltd., 12 MM Ghosh Street, 1st Floor,
Krishnanagar, District Nadia, 741101 West Bengal, INDIA
Checks / Demand Drafts should be made in the name of “ISKCON” and should be payable at Kolkata, India.
NOTE: * All Donations paid within India are Tax Exempted under 80/G Section of Income Tax Department, Govt. of India.*
Below we are adding the story of Simantini from Sri Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya by His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura.
Your servant,
Tusti Mohan krsna das.
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Sri Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya:
Saying this, Nityananda Prabhu roared loudly and went on to nearby Simuliya. He then described that place to Jiva, "Know this to be Simantadvipa. Saints know Simantadvipa to be on the border of Navadvipa on the south bank of the Ganges. In time, the Ganges will devour all but one sacred portion, named Simuliya, where materialistic people will worship Parvati. Listen to the story.
"One time during Satya yuga, Lord Lord Siva began madly dancing, while chanting the name of Gauranga. Parvati asked him, 'Please tell me who is Gauranga. By seeing your astonishing dance and hearing the name of Gauranga, my heart is melting. All that I have heard in the way of mantra and tantra till now only leads to more entanglement for the living entities. Dear husband, please tell me something of this Gauranga. By worshiping Him will I receive actual life?'
Hearing Parvati's words, Lord Siva meditated on Gauranga and said, 'Unto you, who are the primordial energy, one portion of Sri Radha, I will tell the crest jewel of all truths. Accepting the spiritual emotions of Sri Radha, KrsNa will descend in this Kali yuga at Mayapur in the womb of Saci. Lord Gauranga, intoxicated with pastimes of kirtana, will distribute the jewel of prema to everyone without discrimination. Whoever does not drown in that flood of prema is most unfortunate. O Devi, just by remembering the Lord's promise that He will come, I pass my life drowning in love of God. Being unable to control myself, I have given up my own city of Kasi. Within Mayapur, on the bank of the Ganges, I will live in a hut and worship Gauranga.'
"Hearing Siva's words, beautiful Parvati quickly went to Simantadvipa. As she constantly meditated on the form of Gauranga and chanted His name, she became immersed in prema. After some time, Gauracandra appeared with His associates to bestow mercy on Parvati. His complexion was like molten gold. He had long arms, wavy hair, and beautiful limbs. He was wearing a long dhoti folded thrice, and from His neck swung a garland of flowers, which was very attractive to behold. In a voice choked with love, Gaura Raya said, 'O Parvati, why have you come here?'
"Parvati fell at the lotus feet of the master of the universe and with an agitated mind explained her sorrow: 'O Prabhu Jagannatha, life of the universe, though You are merciful to all, You have deceived me. O deliverer of the fallen, You have appointed me to bind up all the living entities in the material world who are averse to You. I have come into the material world to do this work, and have thus been cheated of Your unlimited prema. People say that wherever KrsNa is there is no Maya. I am therefore forced to always remain outside Your spiritual realm, in the material world. So how will I ever see Your pastimes? If You do not offer a way, I am without hope.'
"Saying this, Parvati put Gauranga's foot dust on her simanta (part in the hair) in great distress. From that, the name of Simantadvipa came. Ignorant people call the place Simuliya.
"Gauracandra was pleased, and He said to Parvati, 'O supreme goddess, listen carefully to My words. You are My energy, you are not separate or different from Me. My one energy has two forms. Within the spiritual kingdom, My original energy has one form as Sri Radha, but for carrying out activities in the material world She has expanded Herself as you. Without you, My lila could not be accomplished, for in the form of Yogamaya, you are necessary in My pastimes. In Vraja, you are eternally present as Paurnamasi, and in Navadvipa you are present as Praudha Maya along with Ksetrapala Lord Siva, guardian of the dhama.'
"Saying this, Gauranga disappeared, and Parvati became overwhelmed with love. Parvati stays in one form as the goddess of Simantadvipa, and in another form as Praudha Maya in Mayapur."
Tusti Mohan Krishna Dasa
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