Ekachakra

Ekachakra Dham – The Birthplace of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

Ekachakra Dham is a sacred village in Maldah district, West Bengal, revered as the birthplace of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, a principal associate of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This holy site is a significant center of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and attracts devotees from all over India seeking spiritual solace and divine inspiration.

The village is surrounded by lush greenery, rivers, and serene landscapes, making it an ideal place for pilgrimage, meditation, and devotional activities.

Spiritual Significance of Ekachakra

Ekachakra holds a special place in Vaishnava tradition:

  • Birthplace of Sri Nityananda Prabhu – A key figure in spreading the congregational chanting of the holy names (Harinam Sankirtan).

  • Mentioned in scriptures – Referred to in texts like the Chaitanya Charitamrita, detailing divine pastimes.

  • Association with Lord Krishna – Believed to have been blessed by the presence of Lord Krishna.

Temples and Sacred Spots in Ekachakra

Place Significance
Nityananda Mandira Main temple dedicated to Sri Nityananda Prabhu.
Radhakunda Sacred pond blessed by the Lord’s presence.
Chhoto Mandir (Small Temple) Marks childhood pastimes of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.
Pithas and Samadhis Sites commemorating events in the lives of Nityananda and his companions.

Festivals and Fairs in Ekachakra

Festival When Highlights
Nityananda Trayodashi Appearance day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu Kirtans, processions, feasts, devotional programs
Gaura Purnima Appearance day of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Devotional singing, congregational worship, spiritual discourses
Rath Yatra Annual local celebration Chariot procession of deities, community participation

How to Reach Ekachakra

  • By Rail: Nearest major station is Malda Town (~40 km).

  • By Road: Connected via NH-34; buses and taxis available from Kolkata, Malda, or nearby towns.

  • By Air: Kolkata Airport (~350 km) is the nearest major airport; from there, travelers can hire taxis or take trains/buses to Ekachakra.

Connecting Ekachakra with the Vaishnava Tradition

Ekachakra is part of the Gaudiya Vaishnava pilgrimage circuit, often visited along with Mayapur. Devotees trace the footsteps of Lord Chaitanya and Sri Nityananda, experiencing the spiritual ambiance preserved through centuries.

Let the Divine Pastimes Inspire Today

Ekachakra Dham is more than a historical site—it is a living center of bhakti, devotion, and divine love. Pilgrims and spiritual seekers visit to immerse themselves in the teachings and pastimes of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, carrying the inspiration of devotion into their daily lives.

Sriperumbudur (birthplace of Sripad Ramanujacarya, 32km from Kanchipuram)

Places nearby Kanchipuram:
Sriperumbudur Sriperumbudur is the birthplace of great Vaishnava acarya Sripad Ramanujacarya. It is midway between Kanchipuram (32 km) and Chennai on the Chennai-Bangalore Highway (NH 4). On the way to Kanchipuram a huge arch can be seen with an inscription ‘Bhagavat Ramanujar Avatharitha Sriperumbudur’, birthplace of Srimad Ramanuja, the great philosopher of Vaishnavism. This leads to the temple Sriperumbudur Adi Kesava Temple, also called Ramanujar Temple. Sripad Ramanujacarya appeared in 1017 AD in Sriperumbudur to Kesava Somayaji and Gandhimathi couple. The elder uncle of the child, Sri Tirumalai Nambi, was serving in Tirupati temple. As the child looked like Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Ramachandra, he named the child Ilaya. ‘Ilaya’ means younger. Anujan means younger brother. As he is attributed to Sri Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Rama, he was named Ramanuja – meaning the younger brother of Lord Rama. Sri Ramanuja is also praised as Yathiraja. ‘Yathi’ means ascetic and ‘raja’ stands for leadership.

Pastime: The Bhootha ganas, an army like division of Lord Siva’s empire, approached Lord Vishnu for relief from a curse spelt on them by Lord Siva. Lord Vishnu created a spring through his serpent carrier Anantha (Anantha saras thirtham).He gave darshan to the Bhoothas from its bank and relieved them from the curse. As a token of gratitude, the Bhoothaganas set up this temple for Lord Vishnu. Hence, the place is called Bhoothapuri. The Lord is Sri Adikesava Perumal.

There is a mandap in front of the temple where Sri Ramanuja was born. During the tenth day Chithirai festival in April-May, Acharya graces from this mandap. On his tithi birthday, he is placed in a cradle as a child and fed with milk in a conch. During this festival, the Parivattam – a turban linen – is brought from thirty six Vaishnava shrines (Divya Desas) as a courtesy to the Acharya.

Mandap where Sripad Ramanujacarya appeared

Lord Sri Adikesava Perumal at Sriperumbudur

Sripad Ramanujacarya

Ramanujar Sannidhi at Sevilimedu

Sevilimedu is around three kilometres, outskirts of Kanchipuram on the banks of river Palar.

Ramanujar Sannidhi is the place where Ramanujacharya used to live after leaving his married life. Ramanujacharya used to take water from the nearby well and do holy puja of Sri Varadharajar temple. This temple exactly faces Varadharajar temple and its gopurams are visible from here.


Well from which Sripad Ramanuja offered water to Lord Varadaraja Perumal


Sripad Ramanuja carrying water from Sevilimedu to Lord Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram


Sripad Ramanuja Sannidhi (altar) at Sevilimedu

Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Elanagar

Srinivasa Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Elanagar village in Uthiramerur Taluk of Kanchipuram district. It is situated approximately 25kms from Kanchipuram on the road leading to Vandavasi.

It was also home to several eminent Sri Vaishnava families who rendered services to the cause of Sri Vaishnavism. Gaddam Tatha Desikan, one of the spiritual leaders in Sri Vaishnavism, had done tirtha kainkaryam for Sri Srinivasa Perumal of Tirumala, bringing water every day from Akasa Ganga (a sacred waterfall in Tirumala) and performing Thirumanjanam and other rituals for this deity. One day, a thirsty man asked him for water, and having given it to him, Gaddam Tatha Desikan went back to Akasa Ganga to bring more water for the temple. However, the thirsty man appeared again and again and on repeatedly bringing water, Sri Desikan became tired and fainted. That man then revealed himself to be the deity enshrined in the Tirumala temple and blessed him. He ordered Tatha Desikan to construct five temples for himself with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi in the villages of Paiyoor, Elanagar, Karumbur, Natteri and Vilankuppam. On the orders of Srinivasa Perumal, Gaddam Tatha Desikan constructed this Srinivasa Perumal temple in 1212 A.D. in Elanagar.

Elanagar was the original home of many Azhagiyasingars belonging to one family of the famous Sri Ahobila Mutt. The Ahobila Mutt was founded in 1398 A.D. by Sri Adivan Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan. According to traditional accounts, Srivan Satakopa Parankusa Yatindra Mahadesikan was the 10th Jiyar of the Ahobila Mutt and was from the Elanagar Chakravarthi family. He learned many sastras from the 9th Jiyar Srivan Satakopa Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikan. He established the agraharam named Gada Dharapuram near Kumbakonam. The members of the Elanagar family later migrated to Gadadharapuram and hence are known as the Elanagar-Gadadharapuram family.

The Srinivasa Perumal temple in Elanagar is a very small shrine. The entrance to the temple, as well as the main deity, faces east. In the main sanctum sanctorum, Srinivasa Perumal is seen standing holding the Sankha and Chakra in his upper hands, with his lower right hand in varada hasta (boon giving pose) and lower left hand as though placed on top of his mace with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on either side. The processional images of this temple are similar to the main one. The other Utsava – Vigrahas worshipped in this shrine are Navaneetha Krishna and Chakrathaazhwar (Sri Sudarsana).

A unique festival is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi. Fifteen Utsava-murtis of Vishnu with Garuda from fifteen Vishnu temples in the Kanchipuram-Vandavasi route go to River Cheyyar near Cheyyar town. There, each is placed in a separate mandapa where Thirumanjanam and decoration are performed for them. Later, they return to their respective temples. The fifteen deities who are worshipped during this unique festival are Pesumperumal from Koozhamandal, Varadaraja Perumal from Perunagar, Srinivasa Perumal from Manampati, Lakshmi Narayana Perumal from Tandarai, Pundarikaksh Perumal from Visur, Vaikuntha Srinivasa Perumal from Elanirkunram, Kalyana Venkatesa Perumal from Sethupattu, Kaliya Perumal from Athi, Venkatesa Perumal from Pendai, Venugopalan from Ukkal, Srinivasa Perumal from Elanagar, Srinivasa Perumal from Teturai, Venkatesa Perumal from Mahajanampakkam, Lakshmi Narayana Perumal from Nedungal and Lakshmi Narayana Perumal from Vellamalai.

For a long time, the Srinivasa Perumal temple in Elanagar had been in a very dilapidated condition. Due to the efforts taken by the members of the Sri Elanagar, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Kainkarya Trust, this shrine has been renovated in year 2005.

How it reach Elanagar for a long time:
Elanagar can be reached by going down the road from Kanchipuram to Vandavasi, passing through the villages of Mamandur, Doosi, Ukkal and Koozhamandal and reaching the village of Perunagar. Opposite to the police station in Perunagar is a lane leading to Elanagar. This temple is tucked away in the interior of Elanagar village. Elanagar village is about 10 km from Uthiramerur. Elanagar is in Uthiramerur Taluk in Kanchipuram district. It is located 24 km towards south from district headquarters, Kanchipuram and 9 km from Uthiramerur.