Pilgrims of 80 countries attend ISKON's biggest festival

Kolkata: Nearly two lakh pilgrims from across the globe attended the Dol Jatra at Mayapur, the birthplace of Chaitanyadeb.

There were devotees from around 80 countries including China, Japan, Spain, Russia, England, Brazil, America, Australia, Mexico, Trinidad, Ivory Coast and South Africa.

It may be mentioned that during her visit to the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had assured every cooperation to declare Mayapur as a World Heritage site.

On Friday, the devotees fasted throughout the day and took bath in the Ganga and fetched water in pots for abishek of the Utsav Deities. The entire temple premises were decorated with flowers and lit up with bright lights. It is mentioned in Chaitanya Charitamrita, the biography of Mahaprabhu and even in his teachings, that his thoughts and views will be spread worldwide through various programmes. Gour Purnima festival was celebrated in all the 700 centres of the organisation around the globe.

It may be mentioned that the state government along with ISKCON have taken up a project to develop Sagar Island surrounding Kapil Muni's ashram. Celebrations have been happening for nearly a month beginning on February 8 and were marked by events as Sravan Utsav, Kirtan Mela, weeklong Nabadwip Mandal Parikrama and cultural programmes and culminated at the ISKCON Chandradaya Temple here on Friday evening in the presence of lakhs of devotees.