A total of 26 lotus footprints of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu were installed across key locations in South India to commemorate His visit during His South Indian tour 515 years ago. These footprints serve as a lasting remembrance of His presence and His mission to spread the chanting of the holy names.

The main ceremony took place in Madurai on March 30th, where many ISKCON GBCs, sannyasis, and leaders from across South India gathered for the abhishek and installation of Lord Chaitanya’s lotus footprints. Some of them will also be installed in other places visited by Mahaprabhu, including Mahabalipuram, Tiruppullani, Tenkasi, Kodikulam, Madurai, the Vaigai River (Kritamaala), Tirunelveli, the Thamirabarani River, Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple, Janardanaswamy Temple in Varkala, and the spiritually treasured area known as South Vrindavana.

This initiative is an effort to fulfill the unfulfilled desire of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, who had wished to install 108 pada-pithas or lotus footprints of Mahaprabhu but was able to complete only eight during his time. To date, 59 lotus footprints of Mahaprabhu have been installed, with the goal of reaching over 108 installations across India. In the previous years, footprints were installed in Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Udupi, Rameswaram, Visnu Gaya, Mumbai, and in the 12 forests of Vrindavan.

The current installations were led by Jayapataka Swami, who, accompanied by other sannyasis and senior devotees, personally performed the abhishek and arati ceremonies. Recalling Lord Chaitanya’s journey through the region historically known as ‘South Mathura’, Jayapataka Swami emphasized the Lord’s mission of spreading the chanting of the holy names. 

The recent event in South India was made possible by the dedicated service of Balarama Govinda Das, the temple president of ISKCON Madurai, who not only hosted the ceremonies but also financed the installation of the footprints across Madurai and nearby areas.  Jayapataka Swami also appreciated Balarama Govinda Das’ tireless work. “This service is a great offering to Lord Chaitanya,” he remarked.

This journey through South India was part of a larger spiritual expedition known as the Safari, organized by Marici Das under the guidance of Jayapataka Swami. He said, “Safari has changed the lives of many devotees. It is a very dynamic, ecstatic, and adventure-filled pilgrimage to holy places.” Devotees experienced bliss as they traveled by train and bus, chanting and dancing in Sankirtan, distributing books, and sharing prasadam along the way.

The Safari began in Tirupati, where devotees had darshan of Sri Venkateswara Balaji and visited the temple of Goddess Padmavathi. They organized a Harinam procession through the town and received warm hospitality from ISKCON Tirupati. Three footprints of Mahaprabhu were installed in Tirupati, including at Sri Kalahasti, Tirumala Hill, and the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Asta Sakhi ISKCON Temple.

From there, the safari continued to Kumbakonam, renowned for its Divya Desam temples. At the Oppiliappan Temple, devotees heard about the unique pastime of the Lord accepting offerings without salt. They also visited Panchatattva Ghabastan, where the Mayapur Pancha Tattva deities were cast. Ten footprints of Mahaprabhu were installed here.

In Madurai, over 4,000 disciples and well-wishers of Jayapataka Swami gathered for a convention named Guru Ajna to receive his direct instructions on expanding the mission of Lord Chaitanya. Jayapataka Swami emphasized care, love, leadership, and the need for every devotee to become a spiritual guide. The devotees visited Meenakshi Devi Temple and ISKCON Madurai’s two centers—Sri Sri Radha Mathura Pati and Krishna Balaram Mandir. 13 footprints of Mahaprabhu were installed across Madurai and neighboring places, including Thirukostiyur.

The journey continued to Rameswaram, where devotees bathed in the ocean at Dhanushkodi and the 22 sacred wells. They proceeded to the Adi Kesava Temple, where Mahaprabhu discovered the Brahma-Samhita, and ended the safari in Trivandrum.

Throughout the safari, devotees actively participated in His mission—chanting, preaching, honoring prasadam, and sharing Krishna’s love with thousands. 

During the journey, devotees also came upon several locations connected with Lord Nityānanda, including the Nityananda Perumal Temple in Madurai, where it is believed that an avadhūta saint from Bengal once chanted the holy names. Jayapataka Swami expressed his intent to return and install Lord Nityānanda’s footprints in these areas in the future.

You can watch the installation videos here. For more information about the Spiritual Safari, please visit the website.