Prabhupada Ghat Rendering

The Government of India through its National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) would soon begin the construction of ‘Prabhupada Ghat’ in the sacred pilgrimage town of Mayapur (India). The Bhumi Puja (ground-breaking ceremony) of the ghat took place on 13th May (Friday) at the existing Prabhupada Ghat site opposite ISKCON temple. The Director-General of NMCG, Shri G. Asok Kumar, participated in the program along with senior ISKCON leaders such Jayapataka Swami, HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami, and the Co-Directors of ISKCON Mayapur.

Bhumi Puja Yajna with the DG and ISKCON devotees

Located on the banks of river Ganga, Mayapur is the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the 15th-century saint-avatar, its also the home to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava movement and the world headquarters of the ISKCON whose founder-acharya Srila Prabhupada made Mayapur a household name in many parts of the world.

Speech by Jayapataka Swami

Budgeted to cost Rs 15.3 crores (nearly $2 million USD), the Prabhupada Ghat would be built by Engineers Project India Ltd, a government PSU. On its completion, the Ghat would benefit nearly 1 crore pilgrims and visitors from nearly 100 countries who visit Mayapur every year along with the residents of this town.

Ganga Arati

“Mayapur is a historical and an important place of pilgrimage. In the 15th century, it was called the Oxford of the East as it was one of the major centers of learning. Today, it is the home of the Gaudiya-Vaishnava Bhakti movement and attracts people from all walks of life who come here for darshan and bathing in Ganga. We are thankful to Namami Gange for taking this initiative to build the first public ghat here and naming it in honor of Srila Prabhupada. It is even more special since this year we are celebrating his 125th Birth Anniversary.” said Yudhistir Govinda Das, ISKCON’s National Director of Communications.

Various public amenities such as protecting railings, changing rooms for men and women, toilets, parks, and benches, and provision for senior citizens to bathe are part of the Prabhupada Ghat to help enhance the spiritual experience of the devotees who would be visiting. The estimated time for completion of the is nearly 24 months.

“When it is completed, devotees who would be coming to the Ghat can experience the beauty and divinity of evening Ganga arati right herein Mayapur for which we earlier had to travel to Varanasi or Rishikesh. Along with the arati, regular programs such as Ganga Katha and seminars would be conducted on the river banks to help educate the public on the glories of Ganga Devi and our role in keeping the environment clean and safe” added Yudhistir Govinda Das