Mayapur Iskcon is the holy place located on the banks of the Ganga river. Calling itself “The Spiritual Capital of the World“, Mayapur is the home or the headquarters of ISKCON.
The full form is “International Society of Krishna Consciousness“. However, it is known as The Hare Krishna Movement.
Today we are the Ultimate Travel Guide to explore Mayapur Iskcon Temple. In other words, we will talk about the history of this place, the hotels, the best time to visit, and all the safety measures taken by the Temple authority after COVID 19 pandemic.
Content
Mayapur Iskcon Temple
The Bong Magazine
History of Mayapur
Taking about the history, Mayapur is a town on the island called Antardwip, one of the nine islands that come together to form Nabadwip. However, it translates to a collection of nine islands and a spiritual hub dedicated to different deities.
Mayapur, the land of the Golden Avatar, is commonly associated with Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is believed to be an incarnation of Shri Krishna about 500 years ago. However, he was the one who started the Krishna Movement.
In 1970, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada laid the foundation of his spiritual base on Mayapur. After that, for growing Krishna Consciousness, he created this space as one of the best amazing cultural experiences and education for the people.
History of Iskcon Temple in Mayapur
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was founded by Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (Srila Prabhupada) in the West in 1966.
ISKCON belongs to Gaudiya (refers to Bengal) Vaishnavism, a devotional tradition based on the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Srila Prabhupada founder of Iskcon
There are many branches to the Brahma Sampradaya. ISKCON belongs to the Brahma-Gaudiya-Madhva lineage founded by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Best Time to Visit Mayapur
Mayapur Iskcon
Mayapur is a place that is very calm in nature. However, if you want to spend some time away from the modern city, and enjoy the liveliness of history, Mayapur is the best destination to go!
The weather is pleasant there. However, if you want to avoid the summertime, the best time is from August until the end of March. In Durga Puja time you can also visit the Iskcon Temple in Mayapur.
Mayapur in Google Map
How to Reach the Destination Mayapur
Mayapur can be reached by boat. But first, you have to take a bus or train.
Iskcon has its own travel services
Nearest Railway Station
Krishnagar City Junction
Krishnanagar City Junction or Nawadip Dham.
Trains Running between Kolkata Sealdah(SDAH) & Krishnanagar City Junction(KNJ) Railway Stations:
Here is a list of trains that are operational between Kolkata and Krishnanagar City Railway Junctions. But in this lockdown time, you have to check about the timings from the Railway Website.
Train Time Table from official website
7 trains are operational. However, Bhagirathi Exp is the fastest.
How to Reach Mayapur from Krishnanagar City Junction
You can take auto-rickshaw, Toto, bus or a private taxi from the Bus Stand.
However, If you choose auto-rickshaw then it will take you to the Mayapur Ghat.
After that, you have to cross the Jalangi River to reach the Hular Ghat at Mayapur. However, from there take a rickshaw to the Mayapur Iskcon Temple.
Fares & Travel Time
How to Reach Mayapur from Nabadwip Dham
Nabadwip Dham
Once you reach the Nabadwip Dham station, take a rickshaw to Mayapur Ghat. After that, cross the river to reach Hular Ghat at Mayapur.
Take a rickshaw to reach the Mayapur Iskcon Mandir.
Bus Service
WBSTC operating daily bus services from Esplanade to Mayapur Iskcon Temple. However, after the lockdown, the bus service scenario had been changed. Only two buses are operating now.
These buses will take you inside the Iskcon Temple Campus.
latest Bus Timing from goibibo Website
Iskcon also has its own travel services. However, Gauranga Travels offers cars and buses so you can book them and visit Mayapur with a safe and comfortable journey.
What to see
1. Iskcon Mayapur Campus
Sri Sri Radha Madhava Temple Complex
On the left side of the main temple, there is a murti of ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya, Srila Prabhupada in his Vyasasana.
Mayapur Iskcon Temple founder Srila Prabhupada
On the right side, there is a murti of Sri Sri Radha Madhava. Which is surrounded by their Ashta-sakhis (eight principal gopi friends).
However, the beautiful deities are larger than life-size.
Sri Sri Radha Madhava Murti
In the center of the temple, there is the merciful deity of ‘Lord Nrisimhadeva’.
However, this rare form of Nrisimhadeva known as “Sthanu-Nrisimha”. It is the only place where this rare form of Nrisimhadeva worships.
With his great anger and angry reddish eyes, he is ready to fight with the demon to protect his devotees.
However, this Deity installed here in 1986. After when the decoits attacked the temple.
The Sri Sri Pancha-tattva temple is the adjacent temple of the main temple. However, in 2004, the deities of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita Acharya, Sri Gadhadhara Pandita, and Sri Srivasa Thakura was installed.
Sri Sri Pancha-tattva temple deities
It was one of the most historic events of Mayapur Iskcon Mandir West Bengal. However, the deities are magnificently beautiful and larger than life.
Temple Timings 
Daily Temple Timings
2. Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi Mandir
The memorial shrine of Srila Prabhupada is the largest in India.
Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi Mandir Mayapur Iskcon Temple
For instance, the tall majestic marble dome dominates the skyline and shines beautifully in the sunrise and sunset. The garland which adorned His Divine Grace has been brought and laid down in the Iskcon Pushpa Samadhi Mandir, West Bengal.
Srila Prabhupada’s larger than life-size murti worship here. However, Samadhi Mandir’s gardens are very beautiful and very unique also attractive. If you go to the Upstairs, inside the Samadhi, a large diorama display represents the life of Srila Prabhupada. However, it also depicts the struggle behind the establishment of ISKCON.
Srila Prabhupada Murti
There is a large auditorium is in the basement. However, It is used for seminars, festivals, ISKCON film shows, and cultural programs.
Temple TimingsEvents and Timings
3. Srila Prabhupada’s Bhajan Kutir
From 1972 to 1976 Srila Prabhupada stayed in a straw hut. However, it is at the immediate left side of the ‘main gate’.
Srila Prabhupada’s Bhajan Kutir – Mayapur Iskcon Temple
In addition, a 24-hour kirtan takes place here with continuous chanting of the holy name in the dharma.
Srila Prabhupada instructed devotees to perform Harinama Kirtana 24 hours a day. However, his living place became the place of nonstop Harinama Kirtana in 1990 during Gaura Purnima in Mayapur Iskcon Temple.
After that, the singing of ‘Hare Krishna Krishna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’ continued unremittingly despite huge floods during the years 1999, 2000 and 2006.
In this service, there are 16 devotees who take part. In other words, there are 8 shifts of 3 hrs each.
4. Goshala
Goshala is one of the most iconic places to visit in Mayapur Iskcon.
Mayapur Goshala
Srila Prabhupada often emphasized the concept of cow care. However, he taught us that the society will flourish if cows and Brahmanas are taken care of properly.
ISKCON’s goshala at Mayapur is a happy home for more than 200 cows, bulls, and calves with proper medical care and food. However, they grow up in a natural and peaceful atmosphere and maintained nicely by a dedicated team of devotees.
In Goshala
5. Jagannath Mandir
Mayapur Iskcon – Jagannatha temple
This Jagannatha temple established in the Saradanga area. However, the deity here manifested five hundred years ago. Lord Jagannatha along with Lord Baladeva, Subhadra-Devi, and Sudarsana worship here every day under the management of ISKCON.
6. Shri Chaitanya’s Birthplace (Yogapitha)
Yogapitha
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu or Nimai appeared under a tree, besides that a small house was built here and also the Deities of Jagannath Misra and Sacidevi (Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s parents), together with baby Nimai.
Jagannath Misra and Sacidevi
However, in 1893, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura established Sri Yogapitha as the actual birth site of Lord Chaitanya’s appearance. The distance from The main gate of Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir is only one kilometer.
7. Sri Srivasa Angan – The birthplace of Harinama-Sankirtana
Srivasa Thakura Appearance
This is the courtyard of Sri Srivasa Thakura. However, it is just 250 meters away from the Yogapitha. In the temple there are three shrines:
- Sri Sri Radha Krishna and Lord Chaitanya
- During Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s maha-Prakash-Lila.
- Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, Lord Nityananda and Lord Chaitanya are the leading devotees in the Kirtana and went to Chand Kazi’s palace to protest against his ban on the Harinama-Sankirtana.
8. Mayapur Fulldome Theatre
Fulldome Theatre
In this Full dome Theatre, you can watch 30 mint show with an Rs. 40 ticket. However, the show is based on the history of Mayapur, the famous idea of the speed of light.
In other words, you can see many foreign families come to this place for meditation and spirituality.
Pasadam or Prasad
Pasadam Cost
Mayapur Iskcon Temple – Pasadam
Collect Pasadam Coupon
You can collect Pasadam coupons from Various Bhavans like Gada Bhavan, Conch Bhavan, Ishodhaya Bhavan, Vamshi Bhavan. In other words, you have to buy the coupons from here at a fixed price.
Prasadam Coupon
Pasadam Distribution Timings
However, Pasadam timings are fixed for every coupon.
The lunchtime starts at 12:30 PM and the dinner timing is 8:30 PM onwards.
Prasadam Distribution
Dining Option
Mayapur Iskcon Temple – Prasadam Hall
Govinda’s Restaurant Prasadam
The Prasad quality is top class and very pocket friendly. However, if you make this same quality food in the home at this price, the taste will be not the same as this.
Hotels near Mayapur Iskcon Temple
There are plenty of hotels and Dharmasala near Mayapur Iskcon Temple. However, they are very cheap and the facilities are very good. Here are some website links, where you can easily book hotels near Mayapur Iskcon Temple under your circumstances. The websites are :
But can you stay inside the Mayapur Dham? The answer is yes!
There are a total of 5 guest houses in Mayapur Iskcon Mandir. However, you can book standard, deluxe, Super deluxe, A/C, or non-A/C, dormitories as your budget allow you.
Here is a sample list of 4 main Bhavans that, you can check:
1. Mayapur Iskcon Conch Bhavan
Conch Bhavan
The Conch Bhavan is just behind the main temple. In addition, some tourist places are within walking distance.
However, you can book super deluxe rooms in this Bhavan.
Conch Bhavan Room
2. Mayapur Iskcon Ishodyan Bhavan
Mayapur Iskcon Temple – Ishodyan Bhavan
The Bhavan provides the most beautiful gateway for business travelers and families for some days. Best for you to get away from the hustle of day to day life. In addition, the scenic beauty of this place is very photogenic.
Ishodyan Bhavan Standard Room
3. Mayapur Iskcon Gada Bhavan
Mayapur Iskcon Temple – Gada Bhavan
This Bhavan has a food corner and park of its own. However, the reception of the guest house is in Gada Bhavan along with the famous Pasadam Hall.
In addition, you can book rooms from standard to super deluxe as your wish. They always maintain the word-class hospitality.
Gada Bhavan Rooms
4. Mayapur Iskcon Vamsi Bhavan
Mayapur Iskcon Temple – Vamsi Bhavan
With 4.3 ratings on Google, Vamsi Bhavan is another beautiful guest house in Mayapur Iskcon Temple. In addition, it also has the Pasadam hall and food court.
Vamsi Bhavan Room
In addition, you can stay in The Gauranga Kutir, Nityananda Kutir, which is one of the cheapest in Mayapur Iskcon Temple.
However, for the rooms, you have to visit Visitmayapur.com and book them.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mayapur Iskcon Temple
How to Join Mayapur Gurukula
Sri Mayapur International School knows as Mayapur Gurukula. However, the Vaishnava Culture and Cambridge International Examination(CIE) program give the student one of the best education in the world.
For admission, you have to visit their official website – smismayapur.com. There you can see a separate section for the admission process in detail.
Is Mayapur Iskcon open now after lockdown
Yes, with all the safety measures Mayapur Iskcon Temple is reopened after the lockdown. However, the temple timing is 9 am- 1 pm and 4-8 pm.
Can I stay in Mayapur Iskcon Temple
Yes, you can stay in Mayapur Iskcon Temple easily. Go to the section: Hotels near Mayapur Iskcon Temple for further details.
There are several guesthouses like Gada Bhavan, Vamsi Bhavan, etc. However, they are starting from Rs. 200 and can go up to Rs. 2000.
How can I join Mayapur Iskcon
You can join Mayapur Iskcon by the membership for a lifetime or a certain period of time. However, for the lifetime membership option, you have to pay non-refundable Rs. 35,555.
In addition, the lifetime membership gives you many privileges like Seva, Patronship Card, Meals, Accommodations, books, etc.
How can I reach Mayapur Iskcon Temple
You can take bus, train, or private taxi to reach Mayapur Iskcon Temple. For more details go to the section of this blog: How To Reach the Destination Mayapur Iskcon Temple.
In Conclusion, I’d like to hear from you guys!
Did I miss anything?
Let me know by leaving a comment below right now!
Mayapur is always my personal favorite. Best place for a short trip. However, comment, which one place is your favorite for a short trip?
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Top 10 Best Restaurants in Kolkata (2020).
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