Simantadvipa and Lord Jagannath of Rajapur
Not far from Iskcon campus at Mayapur West Bengal India, there is an Island called Simantadvipa. This island Simantadvipa was also known as Simuliya-grama is located south of the Ganga.We took a taxi and it took us about 30 mins to reach this place.This island represents the devotional process of Sravanam which refers to Hearing the Supreme Lord’s pastimes. This island is famous for Jagannatha Mandir, where the beautiful deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhdra are worshiped. Today, the place is known as Rajapur.Sri Navadvipa-dhama Mahatmya describes how the Lord Jagannath left Puri and came here after killing the Raktabahu demon. It is also states that this area is non-different from Jagannatha Puri as Lord Jagannatha is eternally resident here. Thus the same benefits of going to Jagannatha Puri are gained by visiting this place.There are lots of pastimes associated with Deities and the temple is currently under ISKCON. we went there in the evening and attended a nice evening arti.
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There is a temple of Parvati called Simantini Devi temple (just behind Lord Jagannath temple).It is described in Sri Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya,that during Satya Yuga, Parvati came to this Island and chanted the holy names of Gauranga with love and devotion. Within few days, she had the darshan of Lord Chaitanya and received blessing from the Lord. Parvati Devi took the dust from the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga and very eagerly placed it on her head in the Simanta (the middle portion of the hair just above the forehead of ladies is known as Sinthi or Simanta).
There is also a Shiva Linga, under a tree who is said to be the Keshtrapal or the protector of the Dham.
