Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes this town in his Navadvipa-bhavataranga: “To the west of here (Mayapur), on the bank of the River Ganga, stands the town celebrated by the name of Ganganagara. There is the house of Gangadasa, where my Lord Gauranga took His young brahmana friends and they carried out their studies.”

Ganganagara is located to the west of Prithu-kunda which is now known as Ballal-dighi. This kunda or pond is no longer visible since it has been used as agricultural land. It is located between Sri Caitanya Matha, Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada’s samadhi and Murari Gupta’s house. 

Ganganagara is the place where King Bhagiratha worshiped Ganga-devi and where he remained until Phalguna-purnima to celebrate the appearance day of Lord Gauranga.Ganganagara was subsequently washed away by the Ganga, which has sincere treated to reveal a big tract of land, largely uninhabited. Recently though, some people have started building houses there and we hope that very soon Ganganagara will manifest again. The city of Ganganagara was established by King Bhagiratha of the Raghu dynasty. Many years ago Maharaja Bhagiratha pleased Gangadevi by his austerities and she agreed to descend to earth and deliver his ancestors who were burnt to ashes by the wrath of Kapila Muni. Bhagiratha was leading the way from the Himalayas down to the ocean by blowing his conchshell and Ganga followed him,making her course towards the ocean. At one point King Bhagiratha turned back and saw that Ganga was no longer following him. The king searched for her and saw that she had stopped at Navadvipa-dhama. King Bhagiratha became very worried because his ancestors’ ashes were still more thana hundred kilometers away. If Ganga refused to flow any further then how would his ancestors be delivered? King Bhagiratha therefore started to perform tapasya to please Ganga-devi. Seeing his severe austerity Ganga-devi was pleased and appeared in front of the king. Bhagiratha was very happy to see mother Ganga personally and said to her,“My dear mother! You have stopped here! The ashes of my departed ancestors are lying more than a hundred kilometers ahead. If you stop now, how will my forefathers be delivered?” Mother Ganga replied, “My dearson! You should wait here without anxiety for some days. I have come to Navadvipa-dhama during the month of Magha (January-February) and I will stay here until the end of the Phalguna month (February-March). At that time I will proceed and deliver your forefathers. Bhagiratha! I am coming from the lotus feet of the Lord. This Navadvipa-dhama is the abode of my Lord and I feel much satisfaction here. The appearance of my Lord is on Phalguna-purnima day. On that day I will follow a vrata here, then only will I follow you. Do not fear.” Bhagiratha, the best of the Raghu dynasty, stayed in Ganganagara until Phalguna-purnima. Anyone who observes a vrata (spiritual vow)on Phalguna-purnima and stays in Ganganagara to take bath in the Ganga and worship Gauranga Mahaprabhu will be delivered along with hisfore fathers. This place is very glorious because Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu has danced here many times. One who fasts, takes bath in the Ganga here and worships Gauranga will cross over the ocean of material existence along with one thousand of his ancestors and attain Goloka Vrindavana after death, no matter where he dies. The houses of Gangadasa and Sanjaya, two associates of Mahaprabhu, were situated in Ganganagara. Near Bharadvaja-tila there is a primary school beside which is a dirt road that goes to the field. Devotees go on panca-krosa-parikrama on this road. If you proceed about two hundred meters, you will see a raised piece of land on your left which is now used forgrowing rice. This land is believed to be the residence of Gangadasa Pandita who had a school at which Sriman Mahaprabhu studied during His childhood from the age of eight to ten. Next to Gangadasa Pandita’s house was the house of Mukunda Sanjaya and his brother. Sriman Mahaprabhu opened His school in this house.

Directions: It is said this place is located in the open field next to the Sridhama Mayapur Post Office which is on the corner just past Yoga-pitha. While this is the location accepted as being the place, it is also said that this ghata is presently covered by the Ganga. In the map dated 1500, it is shown as the last ghata and marks the border of Antardvipa with Mayapur.

Lord Caitanya came here with His huge sankirtana party on His way to defeat Chand Kazi. He would also bathe here on His way home from the school of Gangadasa Pandita, under whom He studied for two years. Sometimes the Lord would perform water sports with His schoolfriends at this place. Mother Saci-devi first saw Lakshmipriya at this ghata and mentally selected her to be the wife of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Here Nimai would sometimes splash water on the brahmanas while they were chanting their mantras. The brahmanas would complain to Jagannatha Misra. Jagannatha Misra would then come to the ghata with a stick in his hand to chastise Nimai, who would rush home by another route and smear dust and drops of ink on His body. His hair would be dried by the hot sun on the way home, making it appear that He had not been at the ghata and that He had, in fact, been studying. Jagannatha Misra, on his return, would see no visible proof of his son’s naughtiness and would not chastise Him.

Direction: Ten meters (thirty feet) north of Barakona-ghata.

At this place Mahaprabhu studied and discussed scriptures. He also taught His students Sanskrit grammar here. During the time of Lord Caitanya, Navadvipa was India’s eastern center for Sanskrit and Vedic studies. This ghata is said to have been originally constructed by Visvakarma, the architect of the demigods. It was a most beautiful ghata with many gardens, flowering creepers and chirping birds, creating a peaceful and transcendental atmosphere. There were five temples and five Siva-lingas here during Lord Caitanya’s time. At this place Lord Caitanya defeated Kesava Kasmiri.

Direction: Ten meters north of Jagaiand Madhai-ghata.

Jagai and Madhai were born into a highclass brahmana family in Navadvipa. Their names were Jagannatha and Madhavananda Raya, the sons of Raghunatha Raya. Due to bad association they became meat-eaters, drunkards, debauchees, gamblers, and murderers. Because they caused so much disturbance, respectable people avoided them completely. When Lord Caitanya inaugurated the sankirtana movement He told Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakura to go door to door and request whomever they met to chant the holy names of the Lord. Since Jagai and Madhai were the most fallen, the two preachers decided that they were suitable candidates to receive the Lord’s mercy. They approached Jagai and Madhai and asked them to chant the holy names of Krishna. Jagai and Madhai became enraged and chased Nityananda and Haridasa, who had to run for their lives. The next day, Madhai struck Nityananda on the head with a piece of an earthen pot, making Himbleed. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard this, He immediately came to the spot, ready to punish both brothers. But when the all-merciful Gauranga saw Jagai’s repentant behavior, He immediately embraced him. By seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face and being embraced by Him, both of the sinful brothers were at once cleansed. Thus they received initiation into the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra from the Lord and were delivered. This place is approximately 30 meters north of Mahaprabhu-ghata.

adyapiha cihna ache
caitanya-kripaya
‘madhaira ghata bali’
sarva-loke gaya

“By the mercy of Lord Caitanya, theruins of that place still exist, whicheveryone refers to as Madhai-ghata.” (Sri Caitanya – bhagavata ,Madhya – khanda 15.94 )

After the deliverance of Jagai and Madhai, Madhai met with Nityananda Prabhu in a solitary place and said,

“Oh, My Lord! You are present within the heart of each and every living entity. I have harmed many such living entities. If I knew all whom I have harmed then I could beg forgiveness from them, but I do not know as there have been so many. Please tell me how all those people, against whom I have committed so many offenses, might become pleased with me. If You are merciful upon me then kindly advise me what to do.”

Lord Nityananda replied, “Please listen, I will instruct you. Regularly go and clean the bathing ghata on the Ganga. When the people take bath there happily then all of them will bless you. If you serve Ganga-devi who eradicates all offenses then what more good fortune is there for you than doing this service? You should also offer obeisances to everyone with great humility. If you do this then all will forgive you for your offenses.”

After receiving this advice Madhai circumambulated Lord Nityananda many times and then left. Everyone saw how Madhai was preparing the bathing ghata on the Ganga very nicely while chanting the holy name of Sri Krishnaand shedding tears. Madhai would show much respect to anyone who came to the Ganga and offer them his humble obeisances. He would beg for forgiveness saying,“I have committed many offenses, knowingly and unknowingly unto you. Kindly excuse me for all my offenses and bless me.” Everyone would cry when they saw the tears of Madhai and would remember Lord Govinda. Madhai began performing severe austerities their and became famous as a brahmacari. He stayed on the bank of the Ganga absorbed in her darsana and with the help of a kodala (spade) he worked hard repairing the ghata. By the mercy of Lord Caitanya the ruins of that place are still visible and known by all as Madhai-ghata.

Directions: Thirty meters north of Mahaprabhu-ghata.