January 27 – January 30

Chapternine

In Purī with Śrīla Prabhupāda

25 January to 26 January

Snāna-Yātrā & Jagannātha-Kathā

rädhä kåñëa-praëaya-vikåtir hlädiné çaktir asmäd ekätmänäv api bhuvi purä deha-bhedaà gatau tau caitanyäkhyaà prakaöam adhunä tad-dvayaà caikyam äptaà rädhä-bhäva-dyuti-suvalitaà naumi kåñëa-svarüpam

“The loving affairs of Çré Rädhä and Kåñëa are transcendental manifestations of the Lord’s internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Rädhä and Kåñëa are one in Their identity, previously They separated Themselves. Now these two transcendental identities have again united, in the form of Çré Kåñëa Caitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Çrématé Rädhäräëé although He is Kåñëa Himself.” (Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä 1.5)

Śrī Jagannātha Purī Dhāma

Çré Jagannätha Puré Dhäma is situated in the fascinating state of Orissa. The cultural heritage of Puré has a long-

A lwAys E mbr A c E d by K åñë A

recorded history beginning from third century BCE till present day; others say that it predates that by thousands of years. The temples and religious sanctity, the way of life of the people and their rich tradition attest emphatically that Puré is the cultural and spiritual heart of Orissa. Indeed, Puré is considered the cultural capital of Orissa. The culture here has flourished with its manifold activities.

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Lord Kåñëa Himself, Who appeared over five hundred years ago, in the mood of His own devotee to taste the sublime emotions of ecstasy of the chanting of the holy name of Kåñëa, stayed in Puré Dhäma for eighteen years. Stalwart scholars of Puré, such as Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya, (a great Sanskrit paëòita, who was also the Räja Paëòita, the king’s priest) and many others converted to Vaiñëavism, followed Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s teachings and flocked to His prema-näma-saìkértana movement. Kings and ministers during Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s physical presence became His disciples. King Prataparudra the king of Puré, especially became His great admirer and ardent follower. One of the most grand and opulent events associated with Lord Jagannätha is the Nava Kalavera. Literally meaning the “New Body” (nava - new, kalevara - body),* it takes place when one lunar month of Ashadha is followed by another lunar month of Ashadha. This can take place in 8, 12 or even 18 or 19 years. Many millions of people witness the festival, and the budget for this event is enormous. The event involves

* Chaitanya Chandra däsa: “...It is interesting to note that our Guru Mahäräja [Çré Çrémad Gour Govinda Swami Mahäräja] left this world in a year similar [1996] to the one that saw the disappearance of Your Divine Grace [Çréla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda]: in this year, as in 1977, Lord Nityänanda’s appearance day is February 2nd, and this year also Lord Jagannätha’s Nava-kalevara ceremony is taking place. Lord Jagannätha’s Nava-kalevara is not a regular occurrence...” (Taken from the Vyäsa-püjä offering to Çréla Prabhupäda in 1996 by Çré Chaitanya Chandra däsa).