নবদ্বীপ / Nabadwip

originally Naodah city, a Municipality in Nadia district, on the western bank of the Bhagirathi River. The Bhagirathi River originally used to flow west of Nabadwip, forming a boundary between the districts of Bardhaman and Nadia. It has now shifted its course, cutting the city off from the rest of the Nadia district. It was a centre of learning and philosophy in medieval India and is still noted for its traditional Sanskrit schools. The great Vaishnava saint, social reformer and an important figure of the Bhakti movement, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1533) was born here, making this place an important pilgrimage centre in Bengal. Many devotees from worldwide who adhere to Gaudiya Vaishnavism come to Nabadwip for pilgrimage on the auspicious occasion of the Birthday celebration of Shri Mahaprabhu on the Phalguni Purnima (i.e. on the Full moon day of the March every year), and for various festivals in relation to Leelas of Shri Mahaprabhu like Nabadwip-mandala Parikrama and other festivities like Dol yatra, Ras purnima Gaura-purnima.