Haridasa Thakura Samadhi - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT

Haridasa Thakura Samadhi


Road side entrance to the Samadhi


Main gate to the Samadhi Mandira


Haridasa Thakura Samadhi


Haridasa Thakura Samadhi

Srila Haridasa Thakura Samadhi is located on the oceanfront in the area of Svargadvara opposite to ISKCON temple (Bhakti Kuti). At time of Mahaprabhu it was just sandy beach. Here Lord Caitanya put the body of Srila Haridasa Thakura into Samadhi with His own hands.The actual Samadhi in courtyard as a small tomb.


Samadhi in small temple


Deity of Gauranga in Samadhi


Deity of Nityananda in Samadhi


Deity of Advaita Acharya in Samadhi

Towards the west of the Samadhi there are three alter where the deities of Lord Gauranga, Lord Nityananda and Sri Advaita Acharya are worshipped. After the disappearance of Srila Haridasa Thakura, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu would come daily after taking bath in the ocean, offer Prasada to Haridasa Thakura's Samadhi, and do Nama Bhajana for some time. Thus all the deities are in sitting posture and doing Nama Bhajana.
Srila Haridas Thakura was residing in his Bhajan kutir behind Gambhira, at the place known as Siddha Bakula. Haridas Thakura left his body at this place in the presence of Mahaprabhu, who lifted Haridas Thakura in His arms and carried his transcendental body to the oceanfront in a Harinama procession. There his body was placed in the Samadhi.

In Sri Caitanya Caritamrita this pastime is described as follows:



Haridasa Thakura Passing

The body of Haridasa Thakura was then raised onto a carrier that resembled an airship and taken to the sea, accompanied by congregational chanting. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu danced in front of the procession, and Vakresvara Pandita, along with the other devotees, chanted and danced behind Him. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu bathed the body of Haridasa Thakura in the sea and then declared, "From this day on, this sea has become a great pilgrimage site." Everyone drank the water that had touched the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura, and then they smeared remnants of Lord Jagannatha's sandalwood pulp over Haridasa Thakura's body.


Lord Caitanya Puting Haridasa body into Samadhi with his on hand

After a hole was dug in the sand, the body of Haridasa Thakura was placed in it. Remnants from Lord Jagannatha, such as His silken ropes, sandalwood pulp, food and cloth, were placed on the body. All around the body, the devotees performed congregational chanting, and Vakresvara Pandita danced in jubilation. With His transcendental hands, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally covered the body of Haridasa Thakura with sand, chanting "Hari bol! Hari bol!" They covered the body of Haridasa Thakura with sand and then constructed a platform upon the site. The platform was protected all around by fencing. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu danced and chanted all around the platform, and as the holy name of Hari roared tumultuously, the whole universe became filled with the vibration.

After Sankirtana, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu bathed in the sea with His devotees, swimming and playing in the water in great jubilation. After circumambulating the tomb of Haridasa Thakura, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to the Simha dvara gate of the Jagannatha temple. The whole city chanted in congregation, and the tumultuous sound vibrated all over the city.(Antya 11.62-73)