Rtudvipa

Rtudvipa is made up of two words: Rtu & Dvipa. Rtu indicates spring time & Dvipa means island. Rtudvipa is therefore non-different from the Radha Kunda area of Sri Vrindavan dham. This island is symbolic of “Arcanam” process of devotional service. Arcanam means offering worship to the Lord.

Though this place is non-different from Radha Kunda of Vrindavan, the Kunda is however not manifested to the eyes today. Even the groves of the principal Asta sakhis of Srimati Radhika are said to be existing in this region but not manifested to our eyes.

It is said that at this place, the Upanishads were once worshiping Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. However, since the Upanishads theme of worship was impersonalism (an understanding that the Supreme Lord does not have any form), Lord Gauranga rebuked the Upanishads for their impersonal attitude towards the Lord. Lord Gaurasundar did not appear before the Upanishads, in an unmanifested form. Lord Gauranga said that He would be appearing at this place in Kali Yuga to enact His pastimes. At that time they (the Upanishads) would be able to personally witness it & realize that the Supreme Lord is not formless. Rather, He has a magnificent form.

Vidyanagara is a part of this island. This place was also famous for learning & hence came to be known as Vidyanagara (Vidya means knowledge & Nagara means town or place). It is said that during the regime of Manu, there was a partial devastation of the creation. At that time, the fish incarnation of the Lord known as Matsya avatara brought all the scriptures for being preserved for use in future. Various sages are known to be continuously studying various scriptures at this place. Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya was none other than Brihaspati (the spiritual master of the demigods). He would teach Nyaya philosophy to his students in his school, which was in this area. Later he moved to Jagannath Puri where he came in contact with Lord Caitanya & became His follower.

Places that can be visited here are:

  1. Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya temple.
  2. Gaudiya Matha temple at Vidyanagara.