Category: Holy dham

“What one attains by travelling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering the transcendental abode of Navadvipa” –
Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya

Srimad Bhagavatam reveals that Lord Shiva is the foremost of all the Vaishnavas.

vaishnavanam yatha sambhuh
purananam idam tatha
(SB – 12.13.16)

Some people with incorrect sambandha gyan (knowledge of relationship with Supreme) falsely claim that Lord Shiva is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However the scriptures state otherwise. The scriptures unambiguously mention that Lord Shiva is a devotee of the Supreme Lord and in fact he is a devotee of the highest order. The Mohini murti pastime, wherein Lord Shiva was bewildered by the supreme Lord who took the form of a beautiful attractive woman, or the pastime of Bhasmasura , wherein Lord Shiva had to flee from the asura unto whom he had bestowed several benedictions a while before, clearly reflect the superiority and the position of Lord Krishna as the Supreme.

In fact,Shiva is always meditating and hankering to render service unto Sri Krishna who is his dear beloved Lord. In Caitanya Mangala, it is described how Lord Shiva once became mad with ecstasy after honoring a tiny morsel of Krishna Prasadam which he had received from Narada Muni. Such were his feelings, that he began loudly singing and dancing. The dance slowly became more and more vigorous and took the shape of ‘Tandava’, a dance that is usually performed at the time of annihilation. As the whole world started shaking, the helpless demigods approached mother Parvati requesting her to console her husband. We can thus clearly understand how dear Krishna and His remnants are to Lord Shiva.

Sri Narsimha palli is the residence of Lord Narasimha deva, the half man-half lion incarnation of the Supreme Lord. Located on the southern boundaries of Navadvipa Dham (Godrumadvipa), near the city of Mayapur, this ancient deity of Lord Narasimha deva at Narasimha palli, is worshipped here since Satya Yuga (since 2,160,000 years atleast). Lord Narasimha deva is the incarnation of the Supreme Lord who mercifully provides protection to His devotees. ‘The Gaudiya Treasures of Bengal’ shall be narrating below the beautiful appearance pastime of Lord Narasimha deva and how He had once protected His dear devotee Prahlada, by killing His father Hiranyakashipu, the ferocious demon, who wanted to murder his own child.

History of the Narasimha temple of Narasimha Palli (Near Mayapur) 

So it was here at Narasimha Palli, in the waters of the Mandakini river, that Lord Narasimha deva had washed His hands stained with Hiranyakashipu’s blood in the Satya yuga. He also drank some water from this river in order to refresh Himself. The Mandakini river is reduced to a small lake today, and still exists adjacent to this ancient temple. Knowing that Lord Narasimha deva had come to take rest here, all the demigods headed by Brahma, came over and set up their residences, and engaged themselves in service of the Lord. Hence this place also came to be known as Devapalli or the neighbourhood of the Devas(demigods). Viswakarma had himself constructed thousands of houses out of stone, which served as the residences of these demigods. In course of time, the Mandakini river shifted its course and the houses were all destroyed. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to often come over here at Narasimha Palli, to discuss the glories of Lord Narasimha deva. The temple had been later reconstructed and restored to its present health by Maharaja Kshitish Candra in 1896 AD.

“What one attains by travelling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering the transcendental abode of Navadvipa” –
Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya