Mayapur, Mar 2 (.) Lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad have converged at Mayapur, the global headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in West Bengal’s Nadia district, to celebrate Dol Utsav and the 540th auspicious appearance day of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu on Tuesday.
The 35-day-long festival has transformed the temple town into a vibrant confluence of faith, colour and devotion. The sprawling temple complex has been illuminated with decorative lights, while devotional music and kirtans echo through the precincts. The celebrations will continue till March 5.
ISKCON’s public relations officer, Rasik Gauranga Das, said this year’s programme includes a series of religious and cultural events spread across different locations in Mayapur to manage the unprecedented rush of devotees. “A 35-day schedule has been planned, featuring the World Vaishnava Conference, the 72-km Navadwip Mandal Parikrama, a World Peace Yajna, boat rides, discourses on the Srimad Bhagavatam in multiple languages, spiritual seminars and daily free distribution of prasadam,” he said.
According to ISKCON authorities, between 3,500 and 4,000 foreign devotees have already arrived from countries including the United States, Russia, London, France, Japan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and Ukraine. The largest contingents are from the US and Russia.
In view of the prevailing global situation following the recent US-Israel attack and the resulting tensions, the state administration has put in place unprecedented security arrangements in both Mayapur and adjoining Nabadwip. Special focus has been given to the safety of foreign nationals.
Additional police personnel have been deployed, surveillance has been intensified and crowd management measures strengthened across key points, including entry gates and accommodation hubs. Security has also been tightened at bathing ghats ahead of the ceremonial holy dip scheduled for tomorrow morning at the confluence of the Jalangi River and the Bhagirathi, a distributary of the Ganga.
The sacred confluence holds deep spiritual significance for followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, who regard Mayapur as the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Temple authorities said entry to the shrine has been kept open to all, irrespective of caste, creed or nationality, in keeping with the inclusive message of the saint.
Spread over nearly 700 square kilometres, Mayapur has been segmented into multiple activity zones to ease pressure on the main temple complex. Officials expressed confidence that the decentralised arrangement would help manage the swelling crowd in the coming weeks, as devotional fervour continues to build around the landmark anniversary celebrations. . RC . .