Mayapur Community
The Sri Mayapur Community is presently a fast growing group of about 2000 devotees, roughly
half of whom are local Bengalis and other Indian ethnicities and an international medley of about
80 different nationalities. Since its humble roots in the 1970’s, where a handful of foreign
devotees struggled in primitive conditions, to the present where Mayapur has developed into a
major tourist spot, one constant has been the ever-increasing numbers of foreign devotees
choosing to call Mayapur home. Major ethnic groups include Russians, Brazilians, Chinese,
Australians, Americans and various European nationalities. In short, people from all backgrounds
are grateful to live and raise their families in Mayapur.
The community meets regularly for feasts, community meetings, bhajan sessions, bake sales,
and other social events. There is, however, a need and desire to further strengthen the ties
within our community.
Temple
The focal point of the community is naturally the main temple of Radha Madhava, where
hundreds of devotees and pilgrims congregate daily to joyfully worship the Lord in kirtana.
Mangala-arati, gurupuja and sandhya-arati are the busiest times in the temple but visiting any
time is always a special event. On festival days, tens of thousands congregate throughout the
compound and on Gaura-purnima and Rasa Purnima the numbers can go up to lakhs.
Apart from the main temple, Srila Prabhupada’s massive Samadhi temple is a must-see place for
daily visitors. Indeed, the Samadhi is such an impressive structure and landmark that many
casual visitors believe it to be the main temple in Mayapur. Near the Samadhi is a group of
smaller samadhis for some late senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada’s bhajan-kutir hut, located near the main gate, holds the unique position of the
original building in the complex. Take a few moments to ponder the vast difference between the
Mayapur of the 70’s and that of the present. Nonstop kirtana has been going on there for 25
years and many devotees enjoy joining in with the singers.
Kirtana
Kirtana is an inseparable part of life in Mayapur. Twice a month on Ekadasis there is a 24 hour
kirtana in the temple and every afternoon a lively kirtana party with a distinct African flavor
dances around the campus and beyond to nearby villages, often accompanied by free food
distribution to one and all. A local favourite food, khichuri, is also distributed for free daily on the
campus.
Prasadam
Prasadam is another abundant feature of Mayapur with several options for guests and residents.
The Gada building, with its cavernous hall able to seat over a thousand people, is the most
popular option for lunch and dinner. The Sulabh, or “Big” Kitchen, located behind the Samadhi
offers cheap and filling meals to the hungry pilgrims. Another option for single men is the
Brahmacari kitchen where ashram residents take their meals. A more upscale option is Govinda’s
Restaurant with Indian, Western and Chinese options.
For the western palate, Madhu’s Bakery in the Samadhi market is the local favourite. In the
same area are other options, such as the “Corn-R” shop, and the fresh sugarcane and coconut
juice stand.
Those with private cooking facility can avail of the many local fruits and vegetables grown
seasonally and year round. It’s notable that many western fruits and vegetables are now
available in Mayapur too, as are other imported ingredients. Mayapur is a very fertile area and
many residents have their own gardens.
Temple of the Vedic Planetarium
In contrast to the general village charm of the Mayapur area, the massive Temple of the Vedic
Planetarium, towers above any building in sight and is set to dominate the entire area for
generations to come. Currently under rapid construction, the $60 million structure is intended to
be the grandest temple in ISKCON. Visit tovp.org for more information.
Location
Mayapur is located in the Nadia district of West Bengal and is around 160km north of Kolkata,
just off of National Highway 34. Most visitors reach Mayapur by road; however an increasing
number find it safer to use the rail service from the nearby Krishnagar or Navadwip Dham
stations. Click here for more options.
Kolkata is Mayapur’s nearest airport and major railway station and has modern medical facilities,
large shopping malls and various government offices. An occasional visit there serves as a good
reminder of the many benefits of residence in Mayapur. 
Hope to see you here soon!
Living in Mayapur Dham
Srila Prabhupada stated that Mayapur is the spiritual world and any devotional service you
render is multiplied a thousand times. Moreover, by Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy, offences are
not considered. Even sleeping in Mayapur offers the same benefits as doing dandavats
elsewhere!
Apart from the many spiritual benefits, Mayapur is also a beautiful rural area surrounded by
simple villages and rice fields. The ISKCON property has boundary walls with security at each
main entrance. The housing area provides a safe and peaceful environment for devotees to raise
their families in Krsna consciousness.
Nevertheless, there are challenges living in Mayapur, especially for those coming fresh from the
west. Earning a livelihood in Mayapur is not easy and thus many husbands have to go back to
their countries to work to maintain their families.
The local mosquitoes are a nuisance, but fortunately rarely, if ever, carry malaria. The humidity
can also be hard to handle (see more in the weather section). See also the local culture section
for other major differences between living in Mayapur and abroad.
Want to be a resident?
Anyone can come and visit Mayapur Dham at any time. If you are considering moving to
Mayapur, however, we recommend you come and stay for a little while before selling your
house!
To stay in Mayapur for four months or longer you’ll need to apply for residency. For more
information on residency requirements, write to the Mayapur Community Sevaks office
(MCS.office@pamho.net). This is the office that deals with standards and rules for the western
devotees in Mayapur, including visa applications.
The MCS also has different sub-committees to help manage the community in the following
areas:
Cultural Events
Information & Communications
Self Sufficiency
Welcoming New Arrivals
Care for Ladies
Counseling & Devotee Care
If you would like to be part of any sub-committee, please let the MCS know.
FRO: Foreigners’ Registration Office
Once your residency has been approved by the MCS and you arrive in Mayapur, immediately go
to the MCS Office to collect all the documents you need to register yourself with the FRO. This is
a legal requirement of the Indian Government and needs to be done within seven days of your
arrival. The FRO is located in the nearby town of Krishnagar.
Please make sure you are well aware of the stipulations of your visa as these can vary greatly
depending on the type of visa you have. The MCS Office will be able to help in visa-related
queries.
Health facilities
Some members of our community members have medical experience including nursing,
midwifery, general practice, and Ayurveda. We would like more local dedicated medical services
here.
We have a well-stocked pharmacy right at the main gate of ISKCON with a doctor in daily
attendance to treat routine illnesses. The closest big hospital in the area is in Krishnanagar, the
district capital and a forty minutes ride from Mayapur. The best way to go to any hospital in
Krishnanagar is to call our local ambulance.
Ayurvedic and Homeopathic doctors are also available both in Mayapur and Navadvip, which is
the closest smallest town to Mayapur and is reached by crossing the Ganga.
Kolkata, which is about four hour’s drive away, has a variety of modern hospitals in case of
serious ailments or injuries.
Schools
Devotees either send their children to one of the ISKCON schools or arrange education at home,
perhaps in conjunction with other parents.
The main schools are:
Sri Mayapur International School: www.mayapurschool.com
Bhaktivedanta National School: www.mayapur.com/node/730
Bhaktivedanta Academy Gurukula (boys): www.bhaktivedantaacademy.com
Sri Anasuya Vidya Mandala Gurukula (girls): www.bhaktivedantaacademy.com
Accommodation
There's a range of possibilities. Some devotees live inside the campus, others in nearby villages.
Some have bought properties; some rent houses, huts, apartments or single rooms; some have
acquired land and are building their own properties; some devotees share rooms and others stay
for a time in one of the many ISKCON or private guest houses.
Finances
It's possible to live simply and require only a small amount of cash, but many devotees will want
to maintain their previous living standards and may have to pay for things which are either free
in their own countries or are not required.
Rail and local travel on rickshaws is generally cheap. Medical services and hospital care can be
expensive and many devotees take insurance to cover the unexpected. Due to difficulties with
language and not knowing where to locate things, many arriving devotees find they need the
help of locals in their homes, for cleaning, shopping, etc. Together with the day-to-day expenses
of rent, bottled gas, electricity, prasadam, schooling, clothing etc., there may be the additional
cost of returning to your home country to renew a visa.
It is difficult to offer a guide as to how much you may need in order to live here because our
standards of living vary widely. But an average family of four, renting an apartment in the
campus, with 2 children attending ISKCON schools, would probably need a minimum of around
Rs 25,000 - Rs 30,000 per month to stay in basic comfort (estimated costs at August 2012).
Some families need more, a single person, living simply, would require far less than this.
Weather
Winter tends to last for only about two and a half months, with temperatures dipping to between
12 °C and 14 °C in December and January. The mornings and evenings are chilly but the days
are relaxed and pleasant. Temperatures start to rise noticeably in March around the time of
Gaura Purnima.
During April there are breezes and sometimes quite heavy winds followed by dramatic
thunderstorms which give relief from the heat.
Summers here are hot and humid with temperatures in the low 30's, but during dry spells the
maximum temperatures often exceed 40 °C during May and June. The heat combined with the
high humidity makes this an uncomfortable time for some and there are markedly fewer foreign
devotees here from April to September.
The rainy season proper starts in July through August and there are often small areas of flooding
on low ground during September. There have been full floods which affected the ISKCON
campus and a large area in West Bengal when some properties had to be evacuated. The last
was in 2007.
The chart below shows the average minimum and maximum temperatures in nearby Kolkata
over the year.
The highest recorded temperature in Kolkata is 43.9 °C and the lowest is 5 °C.
Chart Title
40
30
20
10
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Av Min
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Av Max
Ganga
This holiest of rivers is but a five minute walk from the main gate of ISKCON or the housing
area. Usually local devotees go to "Prabhupada Ghat" to bathe as it’s safer than the other ghats.
Local boats can be hired to take you to a more private area on the other side of the river.
Note of caution: Even if you are a good swimmer it is better to stay away from the currents and
deep water. Stay near a friend especially if you do not know how to swim. Unfortunately
incidents of drowning are not uncommon so please exercise caution while bathing or swimming.
Goshala
Our dairy is a pleasant ten minute walk from the temple and accommodates around 300
protected cows, bulls, and calves. Cow lovers are welcome to bathe, brush and feed the cows.
Attached to the goshalla is a stall selling medicines made of cow products and fresh lassi. You’ll
also notice that the oxen are used to pull carts for garbage removal and joy rides around the
campus.
Banking & Travel
The Chakra (Long) Building has two ATMs which both accept overseas cards. The maximum
withdrawal in one transaction is 10,000 rupees. There is also a branch of Indian Overseas Bank
and a State Bank ATM just next to the Long Building exit.
A few doors away from the ATMs is the local travel agency, Mayapur Travel Seva, an efficient
office which deals with both domestic and international airlines as well as Western Union money
transfers (incoming only). Bring your passport to claim your money.
Need to exchange foreign currency? Look no further than Gauradesh, at Room 103 of the Chakra
building.
Service Opportunities
Whilst there are a number of departments that often require staff, not all positions attract
remuneration and many devotees have to either leave Mayapur for a time to make an income or
develop an enterprise here. This is a growing community and the opportunities for developing
cottage industries will increase. Newly arriving devotees often find they need a bit of creative
imagination, patience, and some financial backing in order to stay here fulltime throughout the
year.
There is a large range of services provided by local devotees here ranging from prasadam
cooked for special occasions, Deity painting, Ayurvedic massage, acupressure, acupuncture,
printing, publishing, jewellery making, baby-sitting, dress design, security services, yoga
classes, English classes, Bengali classes, cheese making, personal tuition, a veterinary services,
etc. We currently produce a monthly directory to help locate service providers. There is always
scope to provide something new.
There is a huge amount of voluntary service that can be undertaken, and many parts of the
community infrastructure need to be developed to cater for the increasing number of residents.
There are organised sub-committees which deal with various aspects of community development
from arranging activities for the youth through to building up organic vegetable production, and
some devotees work independently to help—distributing prasadam in local villages, for example.
Local culture
ISKCON Mayapur is a gated community with security personnel posted at the perimeters and it's
possible to live here and have only limited interaction with local people—perhaps when shopping,
taking a rickshaw or hiring a maid. Some devotees, however, spend more time with locals in the
surrounding villages. Adjusting to and understanding local customs and culture can take time
and be a challenge—this is an area with many poor villagers who may see western devotees as
wealthy and a ready source of income, things don't always work as they do in the west, and the
relaxed approach to getting things done and the bureaucratic nature of officials and departments
can be a frustration. But the rewards of developing understandings are worth the effort as there
is a beautiful sweetness in locals that can only be realised through deeper relationships. We are
surrounded by dham vasis, and there is a lot of real value to be learnt from their simple,
uncomplicated approach to life.