The Puranas also describe a very nice pastime of Markandeya Rishi on this island. The son of Mrikanda Rishi is known as Markandeya Rishi. He was blessed by Lord Siva to live for seven kalpas. At the time of annihilation the whole earth was filled with the waters of devastation and therefore Markandeya Rishi could not find any shelter.

He was floating around and lamenting, “Why did I get such a boon of long life? Because of this I now have to go through all this trouble.”

While he was floating around he saw this land of Navadvipa. These sixteen krosas of Navadvipa were not flooded even during that time and were giving shelter to all devotees. Due to being tossed around by the waves Markandeya Rishi became senseless. Seeing him in this condition Surabhi lifted him with great care. When Markandeya Muni regained his external senses he saw the wonderful form of Godrumadvipa. He saw this island extending for hundreds of millions of krosas and its surface was decorated with many rivers and reservoirs. He saw a banyan tree that extended for one yojana (eight miles), which was where the Surabhi cow was residing. By that time the rishi was feeling very hungry. He told Surabhi, “O, Bhagavati, kindly give me some milk and thus save my life.” At that time the Surabhi cow, being very kind, fed Markandeya Rishi with her milk. The muni began to regain some strength and said to Surabhi, “O, Bhagavati! You are my mother, the whole universe is bewildered by your maya. Without proper understanding, I accepted this boon of a long life of seven kalpas. But now at the time of annihilation I am suffering terribly. My dear mother! Please tell me what I should do now. How can I become free from this suffering?” The Surabhi cow replied, “Please worship the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga. This Navadvipa is beyond the material nature. This abode is never destroyed. To our naked eye in worldly vision the size of this place is sixteen krosas. But in reality this abode is beyond the restriction of time and place. This land is Vaikuntha and always free from any faults. Material illusory energy has no influence here. Just behold this most beautiful Navadvipa-dhama which is surrounded by the river Viraja. The size of each island is sata-koti krosas, one thousand million krosas. There are eight islands forming the shape of an eight-petalled lotus. Antardvipa is situated in the center as the whorl of the lotus.

All holy places, all demigods and rishis are staying here and are engaged in worshiping Gauranga. You, Markandeya, should take shelter of the wealth of the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga here. You should follow dharma without any duplicity, giving up desires for bhukti and mukti. By taking shelter of the worship of Lord Gauranga you will very soon achieve madhuryaprema (conjugal love). When that love arises within the heart it will make you float in the mellows of vilasa-kala. You will receive shelter at the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani in Vraja-dhama and your mind will always be fixed in the service of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. You should know that the pleasure of that service is incomparable.” Hearing all this from Surabhi, Markandeya Muni spoke with folded hands, “When I see the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga what will happen to my destiny (karmaphala)?” Surabhi replied, “As soon as you utter the holy name of Gauranga, all your karma will be destroyed. You will experience no more distress. You will be free from the cycle of birth and death. Not only will you be free from the result of your karma, you will also be free from the result of jnana. You will be engaged in relishing gaura-rasa and worshiping Him sitting here on this island.” (Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya,Parikrama-khanda)

Sri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya (Parikrama-khanda) describes:

Lord Nityananda along with Sri Jiva and Srivasa Thakura reached the village called Gadigacha. He explained, “This island is known as Godrumadvipa. The Surabhi cow is always residing here. During Dvaparayuga Indra, bewildered by the illusory energy of Lord Sri Krishna, sent heavy rain to Vraja due to his great pride.

Lord Krishna protected the vraja-vasis by holding the Govardhana mountain aloft. Thus Lord Sri Krishna destroyed the pride of Indra, the husband of Saci. Indra realized that he had committed a great offense at the lotus feet of Sri Krishna and fell at His lotus feet begging for forgiveness. The most merciful Lord Sri Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, excused Indra for his offense. But Indra was nevertheless very frightened. He went to the Surabhi cow and told her, ‘I could not understand the Lord in His krishna-lila and thus committed a severe offense at His lotus feet. I have heard that in the age of Kali Lord Sri Krishna will manifest wonderful pastimes in Nadia. I fear that I may again become bewildered and offend the lotus feet of Sri Hari. You know everything, my dear Surabhi-mata. Kindly tell me what I should do to become free from this offensive nature.’ The Surabhi cow replied, ‘Let us go to Navadvipa-dhama. There we will worship Nimai.’ Indra and Surabhi then came here and engaged in the worship of Lord Gauranga which is very easy and gives great benefit. If someone cries, chanting the holy name of Lord Gauranga, he will obtain darsana of the Lord. After Indra and Surabhi performed their bhajana here Lord Gauranga manifested Himself exhibiting His most beautiful form, smiling sweetly. His transcendental form was very gracious and He was the personification of the ecstatic storehouse of all mellows. Lord Gauranga smilingly said, ‘I know your desire. Very soon I will manifest My pastimes in Nadia. During this pastime you will serve Me here, so that you will not get caught by the net of maya any more.’ Saying this Lord Gauranga disappeared. Surabhidevi stays there eternally under the banyan tree and constantly serves the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga. Because mother Surabhi is staying here on this island under a banyan tree, it is known as Godrumadvipa. Go means cow and druma means tree. All the desires of the devotees are fulfilled here. If anyone worships Lord Gauranga residing here in a hut, he will attain His lotus feet.