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Directions to our Maths in India

This page contains detailed directions on how to reach our main Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and other centres in India.

The ultimate destination of most pilgrims is our Main Math in Nabadwip. Whether this is your first time travelling to India or you are an 'experienced' pilgrim, the easiest -- and recommended -- way to get here is to arrive at the Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) airport and go to our Kolkata Dum Dum Park Centre first.

You can rest in Kolkata, honour Prasadam, and continue on your journey refreshed. The devotees at our Kolkata centre will also assist you with your further travel arrangements to Nabadwip if you wish.

If it is your first pilgrimage to our Temples and you would like someone to meet you at Kolkata airport please write in good time, clearly stating the details of your itinerary. It is generally not practical to meet devotees at the railway stations due to the uncertain arrival times of trains and the uncertainty of locating passengers due to the sheer volume of people. Prepaid taxis from the train stations are readily available.


Directions to our Maths in India:

Tips for Pilgrims

(Last updated: 6 February 2008)

Welcome!
to our Centres in India
Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math


  • Tips for Pilgrims to our Centres in:


  • To Reach the Main Centre:

    Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math,
    Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Road, Kolerganj,
    P.O. Nabadwip, District Nadia, W. Bengal 741302.
    Tel: Nabadwip (03472) 240086
     

    i) If arriving in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) by air:

    a) By Taxi: Bartering with one of the many taxi drivers approaching you outside should, at best, get Rs 1,400 per taxi to Nabadwip or Rs1,700 for a Tata Sumo (Indian larger 'Land-Cruiser' style vehicle). It's a 3+ hour drive, and can be bumpy in parts.

    b) By Train: First, take a taxi to the station. Inside each of the domestic and international airport buildings by the exit is a Prepaid Taxi Booth. Prepay a taxi to Howrah Railway Station (now around Rs 200 and 1 to 2 hours) and take a train (see (ii) below).

    c) By Express Bus: Take a rickshaw to 'Ek Number Gate' (Rs 10) then by bus to Nabadwip as in section (iii) below.

    d) By Surrender: Simply take a Prepaid Taxi to our Temple in Dum Dum Park, Kolkata, (approx. Rs 140 and 20 minutes), and take their shelter.

    ii) By train:

    From Howrah Station: 'Good' local trains leave Howrah Railway Station (Kolkata's main station) at 6.35 a.m., 7.55 a.m., 12.20 p.m., 2.35 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. all these are known as the 'Katwa Local.' They each take over 3 hours, and leave from platform 6 or nearby (ask 3 people). On each of these trains is a coach reserved for ladies.

    The best train to Nabadwip is now called the Intercity Express leaving Howrah at 3.10 p.m. needing reservation from outside Howrah Station, on the corner near the Enquiries office. Please see the separate, informative first-hand guidelines.

    Kamrup Express leaves at 5.35 p.m. Purchase a general Express Ticket. It usually leaves from platform 9. There is no ladies' coach. An Express Ticket is required for all express trains.

    All unreserved train tickets to Nabadwip Dham from Howrah Station are available in the booking hall to the right on entering the main entrance of the station. Go to the left hand section of windows there (marked 'Eastern Railways Suburban Booking'). Current price: Rs 24 (RS32 Express). Ladies can purchase all 2nd class tickets from the 'Ladies Only' window.

    From Shaeldah Station (Kolkata's 2nd railway station): The 'Katwa Local' leaves at 7.55 a.m., stopping in Dum Dum Junction, the nearest station to our Dum Dum Park Temple, at 8.10 a.m.

    The Teesta-Torsa Express leaves daily from Shaeldah at 1.30 p.m., usually (but not always) from platform 8.

    Tickets for both the above trains train are available to the left on entering the Shaeldah Station building, from window 9 and adjacent windows. This express ticket is about Rs 40.

    Arriving at Nabadwip Station, many rickshaws are available. They know our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math as 'Kolerdanga Math' or 'Jol Mandir'. Bargaining will bring the price to Rs 8 at best.

    iii) By bus:

    Express buses are generally fast but can be reckless. Having anything more than hand baggage can be a problem. They all pick up passengers at 'Ek Number Gate' by the Airport Hotel, a 10 minute walk or Rs 10 rickshaw ride from the Airport, and at 'Ultadanga' – each is at the opposite end of V.I.P. Road which runs near our Kolkata (Calcutta) Ashrams. Take any express bus (approx. Rs 40) that stops at Krishnanagar (commonly: the buses going to Bhorampur or Malda). Get down at Krishnanagar 'High Road' on the by-pass of Krishnanagar, most buses stop here for passengers to take refreshments. Walk 500 metres onwards and wait at the first turning left for a local bus going to Bablari (Rs 8), or any Express Bus going to 'Nabadwip Rail Gate.'

    After 10 kilometres Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math is clearly visible as you cross 'Gauranga Setu' the big bridge spanning the Ganges. The local bus will then stop at 'Ghosh Para,' from which it is an obvious short walk to the right (5 minutes) to the Math. Express buses stop a little further on, at the Rail Gate. Walk (10 minutes) or take a rickshaw for Rs 8+.

    Please note that from Krishnanagar don't take the bus to 'Nabadwip Ghat' or you'll end up on the opposite side of the river from Nabadwip town. From there a boat to Nabadwip (Rs 1) then a rickshaw to the Math (Rs 10+) will be necessary – a much longer route.

    For leaving Nabadwip, please see note (iv) below.

    iv) Driving by car:

    If you are driving here, or if your driver isn't sure of the way, the following directions may be helpful:

    Take NH 34 (National Highway 34) from Kolkata. It's the main road passing alongside the airport and heading up to Barasat and Krishnanagar (where we turn left to Nabadwip) and onwards all the way to Siliguri and N.E. India.

    About 2 hours after leaving Kolkata: just after the Santipur bypass the NH 34 crosses a narrow-gauge railway level-crossing. After a further 12 km, on the Krishnanagar bypass the road again crosses this same narrow-gauge railway. Immediately at that level-crossing turn left along the minor road, then take the first left (after just 200 metres) crossing again the narrow-gauge railway tracks, and continue straight owards to Nabadwip town.

    Just before reaching Nabadwip, this road crosses the large 'Gauranga Setu' bridge over the River Ganges, from which our Temple is clearly visible nearby, diagonally to the right. 500 metres after crossing the bridge, there are speed bumps across the road. Pay the bridge toll at the booth on the right (currently Rs 5 or Rs 8 depending on the size of vehicle). Then, to get to our Temple, it is necessary to enter the narrow roads of Nabadwip town:

    After paying the bridge toll, continue 100 metres and take the first turn right. After 150 metres again take the first right. Follow this, keeping to the principal road which goes through a small congested market, then slightly downhill and then takes a 90 degree turn right. Then, reaching a 'T-junction' turn right, and follow this straight to our Temple, known locally as 'Kolerdanga Math' of 'Jol Mandir' ('Water Temple' due to the now famous Temple in Sri Govinda Kunda).

    It is quite straightforward, but along the way if you do need reassurance you're on the right route, then on leaving Kolkata ask locals the directions to the following:

    First: Ask for Kolkata Airport, then NH34 to Barasat, then Krishnanagar and keep to the bypass.
    Then: Ask for Nabadwip Town, via 'Gauranga Setu' bridge over the River Ganges.
    Then: After crossing the bridge, ask for 'Kolerdanga Math' or 'Jol Mandir.'

    Then you're home!

    To Reach:

    Sree Chaitanya Saraswata Krishnanushilana Sangha
    487 Dum Dum Park, Opposite Tank No.3, Kolkata 700055.
    Tel: (033) 2590 9175.

    i) By taxi:

    Take a taxi and simply ask for '487 Dum Dum Park off Jessore Road.'

    If coming along Jessore Road from the city, it's the first turn right, after the 'Bangur Avenue Bus Stoppage' on Jessore Road.

    If coming along Jessore Road from the Airport (via Nagar Bazaar) it is the first turning left after the Shelly Cinema (which is on the right), about 1.5 km after Nagar Bazar.

    After turning off Jessore Road, our Ashram is just 150 metres along the road. It is on the right at the very first junction which also happens to be on the first corner of the first pond (Tank Number Three, or translated: Teen Number Tank).

    If coming from the airport or from Howrah Station use the Prepaid Taxi Booths. From either place it is currently about Rs 140 even at night.

    Except from the Prepaid Booths, the official meter rate for taxis in Kolkata is usually greater than what's displayed because fare increases happen more often than the meters are upgraded. The drivers always carry a card displaying the conversion rates. As of February 2008, it is almost double the charge shown on the electronic meters.

    ii) By bus (to our Dum Dum Park, Kolkata Temple):

    From the Airport

    Take a rickshaw (Rs 10) to 'Ek Number Gate,' turn left and take a bus (Rs 4) to 'Bangur Avenue bus-stoppage' on Jessore Road. From there it is a 5 minute walk following the directions given in the preceding section.

    From Kolkata city

    Bus number 219 goes directly from Howrah Railway Station to Bangur Avenue bus stop on Jessore Road (Rs 8). Alternatively, and from most places in the city, take one of many buses going to Shyam Bazaar – a major junction with a huge statue of a horse in the middle of it. The horse wants to go up Jessore Road. Take one of the many buses up that road which declare they are going to Nagar Bazaar. Get down at Bangur Avenue bus stop (15 minutes), then follow the directions given in section (i) above.

    iii) By boat:

    During the day (but NOT on Sundays or bank holidays) a boat goes every 20 minutes from outside Howrah Railway Station to Bag Bazaar. Buy a ticket at the booth before going onto the jetty. (Currently Rs 3). The launch runs: Howrah to Bag Bazaar departing from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    And: Bag Bazaar to Howrah departing from 6.50 a.m. to 7.20 p.m.

    From Bag Bazaar take a taxi to our Dum Dum Park Temple (approx. Rs 60 by meter). Alternately take a hand pulled rickshaw (for Rs 10) or a shared motor rickshaw (Rs 6) to Shyam Bazaar 'Bata.' Then take a bus as described in section (ii) above.

    If you're going from Dum Dum Park and want to take the boat to Howrah: take a bus to Shyam Bazaar, then a rickshaw (Rs 10) from outside Bata shoe shop to 'Bag Bazaar Launch.' Alternatively a taxi can take you directly to the launch from the Ashram (approx. Rs 60).

    The Metro (underground railway):

    The Metro is the name for the underground railway in Kolkata. The nearest stop to Dum Dum Park is Belgachia. From there take a shared auto-rickshaw (Rs7) to Bangur Avenue. Then it's a short walk following the directions given above.

    iv) Coming from Nabadwip to Kolkata:

    In the morning there are five 'good' direct trains from Nabadwip to Howrah: 4.18, 5.20, 6.14, 6.53 and 7.31, reaching Howrah by 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. depending on which train you catch. A good express train now leaves from Nabadwip daily at 10.25 a.m. except Sundays.

    Please see the timetable of trains *from* Nabadwip.

    The Janasatabdi Express leaves at 10.30 a.m. needing reservation. Please see the separate, informative first-hand guidelines.

    By bus: from upon the small bridge near the Nabadwip Math take any bus that crosses the big bridge. Get down at 'High Road' then walk to the Express Bus Stand nearby to the right. Take any express bus to Kolkata. Get down at 'Ek Number Gate,' then take a bus to 'Bangur Avenue Bus Stoppage' on Jessore Road, and follow the directions given above.


    To Reach:

    Sree Chaitanya Saraswata Krishnanushilana Sangha
    Kaikhali, Chiriamore, (near Kolkata airport),
    P.O.: Airport, Kolkata, Pin 700052. Tel: (033) 2573-5428

    At present this is principally a preaching centre for the Indian devotees. A grand Temple, nat-mandir and facilities are fully functional, and beautiful Deities installed. For those who wish to visit: from the airport a rickshaw should cost just Rs 20. If coming from Kolkata, any local bus that goes to the Airport or 'Ek Number Gate' via V.I.P. Road stops at Kaikhali. Then walk for 7 minutes along the only road to the right. Our Sangha is directly opposite you as the road takes its first sharp bend to the left.


    To Reach:

    Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Mission
    96 Sevakunj, P.O.: Vrindavan, District: Mathura, Pin 281121, U. P.
    Tel: (0565) 245 6778

    By Train: Take one of the frequent trains from New Delhi to Mathura Junction. From outside Mathura Junction station take a three-wheeled auto-rickshaw to Vrindavan for Rs 80 or Rs 100 including 'Westerner's tax'(!). Upon arriving in Vrindavan ask directions to the Sri Radha Damodar Temple. Approaching from the direction of Loi Bazaar, turn left just before the Radha Damodar Temple. Our Math is on the right after a few yards.

    Alternatively, from outside Mathura Junction railway station take a cylce rickshaw to the new bus stand (Rs 10) then a shared public auto-rickshaw to Vrindavan (Rs 10). Arriving in Vrindavan take a cycle rickshaw to Sevakunja (Rs 10) or ask three people the whereabouts of the Sri Radha-Damodar Temple, and walk. Then follow the directions given in the last paragraph.

    By Taxi: Arrangements can be made outside Delhi Airport or Delhi Railway Stations for a taxi to Vrindavan for Rs 1700+. The 120 km drive takes about three hours. 

    By Bus: From Delhi Airport take a shared three-wheeled Tempo for Rs 40 to the Kalekha Bus Stand from where buses go to Vrindavan or Mathura each half hour. Kalekha Bus Stand can be reached from Delhi Railway Station by using a prepaid auto-rickshaw.


    To Reach:

    Srila Sridhar Swami Sevashram
    Dasbisa, P.O. Govardhan, Dist. Mathura, U.P. 281502.
    Tel: (0565) 281 5495

    First get to Mathura. Then a rickshaw from the Railway Station to 'New Bus Stand' (Rs 10). Then by bus to Govardhan (30+ minutes journey). Get off at Govardhan bus station. Continue walking along the main road. Turn first right, then after 30 metres go diagonally first right along a very minor 'road.' Our Sevashram is 50 metres along on the right, a total of less than 10 minutes walk from the bus station.

    If somehow you can't find it, ask any local person for 'Howallagully' near 'Bikharner Dharamsala' or else ask for the wherabouts of the house of 'Giridhari Panda.' He's famous in Govardhan, and his house is just 20 metres after our Sevashram on the opposite side of the road.


    To Reach:

    Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math


    Bidhava Ashram Road, Gaur Batsahi, P.O. Puri, Orissa 752001,
    Tel: (06752)-231413

    The devotees there require you to have a letter of introduction from the Nabadwip Math. Puri is an 11 hour train journey from Kolkata. Two overnight trains leave each evening. Train reservations are required. (See tickets.html for making reservations).

    There are also express trains going in the daytime to Bhubaneshwar. The 'Dhauli Express' departs daily from Howrah at 6.15 a.m. going to Bhubaneshwar. Generally reservations are not required. At Bhubaneshwar change to a local train to Puri or take a bus or taxi (1+ hours).

    Express trains also go from Delhi to Puri and vice versa. They take about 36 hours. 

    From Puri Railway Station take a rickshaw (Rs 20) or a motorised 'auto-rickshaw' for Rs 35 to our Math – Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Gaur Batsahi. Our Math is near 'Hotel Raj.'

    'Sevak Bhavan' (also near 'Hotel Raj') is the name of our guesthouse there. It is directly behind our Math on the next road over, called 'Hotel Prachi Road.' It's the same distance and price from the railway station.


    To Reach:

    Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Ashram
    Village and P.O. Hapaniya, Dist. Burdwan, W.B.

    Hapaniya is Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's holy Appearance Place and is located about 25 kilometres from Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip. From the Nabadwip Math take a rickshaw to Hemadpur (Rs 10), then any Katwa bound bus (it's to the right). Get down at Bordanga – a minor stop, the 2nd stop after the village of Chatny. Our Math is in Hapaniya – the 2nd village, a walk of 2 kilometres down the road to your left.

    By train, for the adventurous. Get down at Patuli Station. It is at least 3 kilometres to your left and slightly behind you across the paddy fields. (First ask directions through the fields to Bordanga, then follow the side-road to Hapaniya.)


    To Reach:

    Sri Chaitanya Sridhar Govinda Seva Ashram
    Village: Bamunpara, P.O. Khanpur, Dist. Burdwan, W. B.

    Bamunpara is the present name for the originally named village of Brahmana-Para. This is the holy Appearance Place of Sri Math Acharyya Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. It is 40 km from Nabadwip but to make this pilgrimage by public transport is a mini-adventure. Enquire at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip.


    Contact Information

    For more information, please enquire by email, or write to this address:

    Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math,
    Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Road,
    Kolerganj, P.O. Nabadwip,
    District Nadia, West Bengal,
    PIN 741302, India.
    Phone: (03472) 240086
    Kolkata: (033) 2590 9175

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