From the creators of Gauradesh Mellows
Kirtan Retreatin Jagannatha-Puri
Featuring Madhavananda Prabhu
Register
Dec 31 to Jan 11
The first days of the new year in the holy dhama of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
As you greet the new year, so shall you spend it :)
Why Puri
A place the heart returns to
Jagannatha-Puri is the place where Lord Chaitanya's outward preaching gives way to His innermost life.
Here He reveals His most intimate feelings of love for Krishna, in the mood of Srimati Radharani.
That is why every part of the pilgrimage (Gundica-marjana, Harinama, Gambhira and more) becomes not just a spiritual event, but an invitation to cleanse your heart and come even a little closer to this love.
Pilgrimage to Puri
In the introduction to Srimad-Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada writes that after accepting sannyasa, Lord Chaitanya, at His mother's request, made Jagannatha-Puri His permanent residence and spent there the last twenty-four years of His manifest pastimes.
It was there that His deepest experiences of love for Krishna took place.
Choose your place in this pilgrimage
Join the retreatWhat makes this retreat different
Here all five angas of bhakti come together
In Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, Srila Rupa Gosvami names the five most powerful angas of bhakti.
Even a slight touch of any of them can awaken a living spiritual taste in the heart.
We will hear from the sadhu Madhavananda Prabhu, who for over 30 years has led parikramas in Jagannatha-Puri and reveals its hidden meanings for Vaishnavas
Each day we will walk with Harinama through the very places where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu once passed with His companions and disciples
We will hear from authoritative sources such as Srimad-Bhagavatam and Chaitanya-charitamrita
We will actually be living all this time in the holy dhama
The Deities of the Gauradesh Mellows project will be with us, and together we will serve Them
Seva as the foundation
All five unfold in the mood of service. Each day we do something practical for the Dhama, such as taking part in service at the Gundica temple.
Small groups
Throughout the retreat we are divided into small groups. It is easier to share what we live through, reflect more deeply, and serve one another. We make this retreat together.
Daily rhythm
First practical service in the dhama, then immersion in katha, then kirtan. This way all our senses are engaged, and smaranam, remembrance of Krishna, is born.
What awaits you
Seva
Kirtan
Katha
Daily kirtan, katha, parikrama, harinama, mahaprasada and association in the sanga of devotees
Hurry to claim one of the remaining spots
Reserve a spotWhat stays with you after returning home
Enthusiasm for the practice of bhakti
You will truly recharge your batteries and gain fresh enthusiasm for your practice right there on the spot
Taste
You will regain or deepen your taste for the angas of devotional service, and your practice will take on new facets
Thoughts
Srila Prabhupada often said that a devotee is his mind. Your mind will be cleansed and you will begin to think of Krishna more
Pilgrim's diary
The book you will write in Puri
Throughout the retreat each participant writes their own book. Every evening there is time for reflection, and the day you have lived becomes a separate chapter.
By the end of the pilgrimage all the chapters come together into one shared book, a living memory of the path walked together.
"I want you to write as my disciples… as the Gosvamis and all the acharyas wrote books, so too my disciples will write."
A retreat for the whole family
You can come with children
A separate space will be arranged for the children, so parents can take full part in the retreat program while the children spend their time happily and in a safe atmosphere.
The rhythm of the retreat
Katha
Prasad
Parikrama
Rest
Fellowship
Prasad
Kirtan
The pilgrimage route
Following the places of Jagannatha-Puri,
connected with the pastimes of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His eternal associates
1 of 13
Arrival day
Check-in and accommodation
Rest. Currency exchange. In the evening — kirtan and prasad of Lord Jagannatha.
Our guides
Throughout the pilgrimage we are accompanied by Vaishnavas who have studied Jagannatha-Puri, the legacy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the tradition of kirtan for many years
Main speaker · leads katha
Madhavananda das
Editor-in-chief of Gopal Jiu Publications and the Sri Krishna Kathamrita magazine.
For over 30 years he has lived in Orissa, near Jagannatha-Puri, deeply researching the holy places of the dhama, the pastimes of Lord Jagannatha and the esoteric themes of the Gaudiya tradition.
Together with Gopal Jiu Publications he leads parikramas and retreats in Puri.
Leads katha
Jagadish das
Founder of the Gauradesh Mellows project, organizer of kirtan festivals and retreats.
On the Puri pilgrimage he leads a series of morning lectures, "The Pastimes of Lord Gauranga in Jagannatha-Puri."
Kirtaniyas
Mukunda das
Abhay Chaitanya das
Narayan das
The first days of the new year in the Dhama
Join the retreatThe Gauradesh Mellows team
The retreat organizers
We organize kirtans, festivals and retreats. Our aim is to create a space where it is easy for people to focus on practice, fellowship and the atmosphere of pilgrimage
Participation
The cost of the trip
We deliberately keep the group small, to preserve the atmosphere of living fellowship and shared practice
What is included
- Organizational support throughout the pilgrimage
- Participation in the entire retreat program
- Daily kirtans, katha, parikramas and shared practice guided by experienced Vaishnavas
- Help preparing for the trip and support at every stage
- Meals: a light breakfast, lunch and Jagannatha maha-prasad
- Accommodation
- Transfer from the airport to the venue and back
What is not included
- International flight
- Visa processing (if needed)
- Medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Local rickshaw rides
A detailed list of services and organizational conditions is provided to each participant after registration
Jagannatha
is waiting for you
Frequently asked questions
This is a kirtan pilgrimage to Jagannatha-Puri, where the main focus is living kirtan and immersion in the practice of the Holy Name in the holy places of the Vaishnava tradition. Remarkable guides with deep, many-year spiritual practice help you go deeper into the pilgrimage and touch the mood of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the atmosphere of the Dhama.
Yes. We accompany participants at every stage of the trip: we help with preparing documents, give recommendations before departure, and support you with special attention and care throughout the whole journey.
After arrival we arrange a transfer to the pilgrimage venue and give you in advance all the instructions you need about the route and what to do at the airport, so the journey is clear and calm at every stage.
The trip will be rewarding both for those who deeply practice the Vaishnava tradition and for those who are only beginning to get to know kirtan and the spiritual culture of India.
The pilgrimage is arranged so there is no overload: there is time for the shared program, for kirtan and pilgrimage, and also for rest and recovery.
Yes, families with children are warmly welcome. It brings us joy when young Vaishnavas get the chance to touch the holy places and the living tradition of pilgrimage. We try to consider the needs of families and to make participation comfortable.
You can leave a request and ask all your questions before deciding. We help you work out how well this format suits you personally.
The food is vegetarian: a light breakfast, lunch and Jagannatha maha-prasad. The food is not spicy, without chili.
See you
in Jagannatha-Puri
Leave a request to receive all the information and join the retreat
Join the retreat