By Bhakta Nikhil
Jamalpur is a district in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh. It has a total population of around 2,300,000. On the bank of the serene Brahma Putra River, surrounded by lush green forests beholding the most fragrant of flowers, it was the perfect location for the Lord of Universe to reside. It is very meaningful that this holy river, being connected with our Brahma Madhava Gaudiya Sampradya will play host for our most worshipable Lord. On 31st July, 2015, hundreds of devotees from all over Bangladesh gathered to celebrate in officially opening ISKCON Jamalpur and this being the day of Guru Purnima, it made the event even more special.
“If you have got some money, don’t use it for constructing a big skyscraper building. Better you try to construct a very nice temple for Krishna’s situation. This is proper use.” Srila Prabhupada SB Lecture, Bombay 26th December.
The temple land originally belonged to the King of Natore, King Jagatendra Ray Bahadur and Queen Rashmani. Natore is a district of Rajsahi Division located in north Bangladesh. A little known fact was revealed during the course of the event by H.G. Jay Rama das, the Temple President ISKCON Netrakona, was that the King was the great grandfather of HH Subhag Swami Maharaj.
The area of the temple land constitutes of nearly an acre. The present sevaits: Avinash Candra Pal and Vipul Kanti Lal officially handed over the land to ISKCON. A deity of Govinda dev has been residing at this land since 1850, over 150 years and now stands along with Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra in their newly constructed altar.
Mahaprabhu wanted that His mission spread all over the world. We are seeing this practically happening with our own eyes by the grace of Srila Prabhupada.
prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama
“In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.” CB Antya 4.126.
Invited guests were Mr Nizam Uddin (SSP), Mr Anwar Hussain (A.DC), Advocate Mr Warech Ali Muhammed ( Mayor of Jamalpur), Mr Bijan Kumar Canda, Sri Kalyan Choudary and Sri Virendra Candra Das. All showed their appreciation and gratitude for the efforts of the devotees in establishing the temple so much to the extent that they requested the devotees to hold Ratha Yatra celebrations there next year.
Melodious kirtan led by HG Madhusudan Krishna das stunned all and hundreds were dancing and chanting in enthusiasm for HH Subhag Swami Maharaj’s arrival. When Maharaj finally entered the temple premises, conch shells were blown and matajis performed ulu dhvani, thus sanctifying and creating an auspicious atmosphere. On the request of the devotees, Maharaj cut the ribbon to officially inaugurate the whole celebrations. Maharaj then delivered a lecture on the importance of a temple and the opportunities for everyone to engage in Lord Jagannath’s service. After Maharaj’s lecture, different distinguished devotees, from different parts of the world, spoke briefly on the importance of Krishna Consciousness in this age and the significance of chanting the Lord’s names.
After the series of lectures, the first aarti was performed to Their Lordships: Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra who gave Their first darshan. All were captivated by the most attractive forms of Their Lordships. Devotees and local villagers danced for an hour for the pleasure of the Lord and all were in an ocean of bliss. Subsequently, HG Shyamasundar Ananda das delivered a concluding lecture on Bhagavad Gita which inspired, enthused and motivated all the residents of Jamalpur to daily visit the Lord and take part in some amount of service weekly.
The program concluded with sumptuous prasad and all returned to homes with a smile that lit up their faces. We offer special gratitude unto HG Subhananda das, without his presence and input the temple would not have manifested today as well as HG Arun Krishna das and HG Sankarsan das who worked tirelessly for the last two years in collecting funds. Whole heartedly we thank HH Subhag Swami Maharaj for personally attending this function and motivating devotees and locals to take seriously to this path of Krishna Consciousness and thereby make their lives successful.
Jagannath Swami ki Jay
Srila Prabhupada ki Jay
ISKCON Jamalpur ki Jay
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