The Journey from Śrī Purī-dhāma to Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma

To attain the eternal association of his most worshipful gurupāda-padma and that of his two senior godbrothers, Śrīla Gurudeva, seated in a lotus position (padmāsana) in a car adorned with flowers, thus commenced his journey from Śrī Jagannātha Purī to Śrī Navadvīpa. The decorated car left at eight in the morning on the auspicious kṛṣṇa-navamī and was followed by six other vehicles full of devotees.

First, Śrīla Gurudeva went to Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura at his samādhi in Svargadvāra and took leave of him. A devotee brought water from the ocean where Śrīman Mahāprabhu had bathed Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s transcendental body at the time of his disappearance from this world, and this water was sprinkled on Śrīla Gurudeva’s transcendental body. From there, he performed parikramā in the car around the periphery of Caṭakaparvata, Śrī Ṭoṭā Gopīnātha, Yameśvara Ṭoṭā, Śrī Siddha-bakula and Śrī Gambhīra. After performing parikramā of Śrī Jagannātha-vallabha gardens and Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda’s birthplace, the car finally came to the Siṃhadvāra (lion gate) of Śrī Jagannātha’s Temple, where devotees had gathered, having collected Śrī Jagannātha-deva’s prasādī-mālā, sandalwood paste, cloth, mahā-prasāda and other such items to offer to Śrīla Gurudeva. Śrīman Mahāprabhu had offered the same items to Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura at the time of his samādhi. In this way, after bidding farewell to Śrīman Mahāprabhu and His associates in Śrī Jagannātha Purī, Śrīla Gurudeva commenced his journey to Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma.

As the car drove through Bhubaneśvara, Jajapura and other places, many of Śrīla Gurudeva’s disciples and followers came to receive his darśana, and with intense emotion tearfully offered their puṣpāñjali at his lotus feet. On reaching Baleśvara, some devotees offered Śrī Kṣīracorā Gopīnātha’s prasādī garland and khīra to Śrīla Gurudeva. This journey from Śrī Jagannātha Purī to Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma took fourteen hours.

The car carrying Śrīla Gurudeva’s transcendental form arrived at Śrī Śrī Keśavajī Gauḍīya Maṭha in Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma at around 10.30 in the evening. As it neared the maṭha gate, the devotees who had gathered there, numbering more than a thousand, surrounded the car, sobbing bitterly and chanting “Jaya Śrīla Gurudeva!” There are no words to describe their pain of separation from him. Śrīla Gurudeva was brought into the temple room and seated on the vyāsāsana in a lotus pose. The devotees performed his āratī, singing Śrī guru-caraṇa-padma.

Devotees in India and also Overseas Journey to Śrī Navadvīpa

Śrīla Gurudeva’s speciality was the pure transcendental affection he showered upon all. Such affection, which has no comparison in this world, was a tangible experience of a truly spiritual, selfless loving relationship. Therefore, when devotees within and outside India heard of his entering nitya-līlā, their hearts and minds raced to him. Everyone that could possibly do so immediately stopped what they were doing and hastily made arrangements to go to Śrī Navadvīpa to receive his final darśana. Some devotees arrived before Śrīla Gurudeva, and many others arrived throughout the night.

For the duration of the night on the auspicious kṛṣṇa-navamī, Śrīla Gurudeva’s transcendental body was placed on the dais in the temple room. As devotees arrived, having travelled by air, train, car, or however possible, they were immediately able to have his darśana. One by one, without restriction, they prostrated themselves at Śrīla Gurudeva’s lotus feet, offering their heartfelt srāddha-puṣpāñjali. Many sat in the temple room throughout the whole night for this last darśana, singing kīrtanas and bhajanas pertaining to moods of separation.