The one Srimad-Bhagavatam verse that vividly describes Lord Caitanya’ appearance tells how this incarnation of Krishna has descended in Kali-yuga “accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions [the Panca-tattva]” and how He is worshiped by “intelligent persons” who “perform congregational chanting.”

What better way to make this important truth come alive for Mayapur pilgrims than for them to see congregational chanting of the holy name twenty-four hours a day in the Pancatattva Temple in Sridham Mayapur!

The congregational chanting of the holy name is highly glorified. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura has said, “Srinama-sankirtana[the congregational chanting of the holy name] is the best sadhana [spiritual practice]. If other sadhanas help us in krishna-sankirtana, then they deserve to be called sadhana; otherwise they are simply impediments to sadhana. Sri-krishna-nama-sankirtana is the emperor of sadhanas. It is the only infallible sadhana capable of bringing us to siddhi [perfection].”

When Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya inquired from Lord Caitanya about the most important item in the execution of devotional service, He replied, “Srinama-sankirtana.”

Srila Prabhupada desired that ISKCON devotees come to Sridhama Mayapur to just chant. One former Governing Body Commissioner (GBC) recalls, “One time, during the annual Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur, Prabhupada called his GBC men to his room. With his leaders gathered before him, Prabhupada stated that all the devotees in the world should come to Mayapur and constantly have kirtana. He was very blissful as he told them of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s statement that he had searched the fourteen worlds but found nothing of value except the chanting of the holy names. Prabhupada said that this was Mayapur’s purpose, to come and chant. “We may have problems in different parts of the world, but they will go away if we simply come together and chant. Lord Caitanya always chanted and we could do it also. We now had a big building in Mayapur, so everyone could come and live there and simply chant.” 

Of course, Srila Prabhupada had many desires for his devotees, to distribute books, to protect cows, to establish gurukulas, to distribute prasadam, etc., but to come to Mayapur and to demonstrate that one can be happy simply by chanting Hare Krishna is very important to him as this pastime indicates.

The holy dhama is a spiritual place where devotional service is easier to perform and where the spiritual benefit obtained is increased. Thus to do service there is a great opportunity. 

It described in the age of Kali, other places of pilgrimage become diminished in importance, while the importance of Navadvipa and Mayapur increases. Great monks like Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja and Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji Maharaja even renounced Krishna’s holy land of Vrindavan to take shelter of Navadvipa dhama. In Navadvipa dhama,it is said, even offenders are purified and delivered. The evidence is Jagai and Madhai.

Thus for the above reasons the proposed twenty-four-hour Akhanda Kirtan Mandali in Sridham Mayapur Temple of Sri Sri Panca-tattva is a great spiritual opportunity.

Everyone is welcome to join twenty-four-hour Akhanda Kirtan Mandali in Sridham Mayapur. The organizers need strong, dedicated devotees to show commitment, punctuality, enthusiasm and expertise in doing Harinama Sankirtana Yajna for the pleasure of Yajna Purusa, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Please contact: Martanda Dasa, +91 9639 012082 and +91 7864 998259 or kirtanmayapur@tlen.pl