Form of Navadvipa

Navadvipa-dhāma within Gauda-mandala is served by the Ganges and situated in eternal splendor. This Gauda-mandala is one hundred sixty-eight miles in circumference, with the Ganges running through the center. Gauda-mandala takes the form of a hundred-petaled lotus, with the most beautiful Navadvīpa in the center. The circumference of the central stamen of the flower, or Antardvīpa, is ten miles, and the circumference of the eight-petaled flower, or Navadvīpa, is thirty-two miles. Outside this are the hundred petals of Gauda-mandala, whose circumference measures one hundred sixty-eight miles. According to the scriptures, the diameter of Gauda-mandala is fifty-six miles and the radius is twenty-eight miles. The center point, situated within Navadvīpa, is the Yogapitha, the sacred spiritual abode where the Lord advented.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Pramana-Khanda, Chapter 2)

Antardvipa, Simantadvīpa, Godrumadvīpa, and Madhyadvīpa are situated on the east bank of the Ganges. And Koladvipa, Ṛtudvipa, Jahnudvipa, Modadrumadvipa, and Rudradvīpa are situated on the western bank. Flowing in various places of Navadvīpa are all auspicious rivers such as the Ganges, Yamunā, Godavari, Sarasvatī, Narmadā, Sindhu, Kāverī, Tāmraparṇī, Payasvini, Krtamālā, Bhīmā, Gomati, and Drṣadvati. Navadvīpa is always surrounded by these holy rivers.
“O Parvati, present within this eternal Navadvipa-dhāma are Ayodhya, Mathura, Māyā (Haridvāra), Kāśī, Kāñcī, Avanti (Ujjain), Dvārakā, Kurukṣetra, Puskara, and Naimiṣāraṇya. The four streams of the Ganges-Bhagirathi, Alakanandā, Mandākinī, and Bhogavati-enclose the thirty-two mile circumference of Navadvipa. All the holy places in the heavenly, earthly, and lower planets are present in Navadvipa. “Actually I do not stay in Kailasa, and you also do not reside in my house there. The devatās do not reside in the heavenly planets, nor do the sages stay in their respective forests. After having sung the name of Gaura, we have developed a strong desire to obtain Gauranga-prema, and thus we all reside in Navadvīpa on this earth planet.
“Those intelligent people who reside in Navadvipa take Gauranga as their only protector and master. Whoever worships Gaurasundara, the embodiment of five spiritual truths, is most dear to me.
“This Navadvipa has the form of a lotus flower with Antardvīpa as the whorl and Simantadvipa and the other seven islands as the petals. Within the whorl is a jewelled pitha. Whoever meditates constantly on Gaurasundara along with the other members of the Pañca-tattva who are situated on the pitha will be known as the best amongst the best of men. If anyone-householder or sannyasi-constantly chants, ‘O Gaura!’ anywhere in Navadvīpa, he will obtain perfect bliss.
The wise say that on the eastern bank of the Ganges at Māyāpur, Gokula is situated, while on the western bank, Vṛndāvana is situated. In that place is Pulina, the sandy riverbank which is the site of the rasa-lila. West of the rasa-līlā site is the auspicious Dhira-samira. O Devi, whatever exists in Vṛndāvana also exists in Navadvipa. Of this there is no doubt. “As the external energy of Lord Hari, you give difficulties to the conditioned souls. By your influence, you hide from them the brilliant sunlike Lord of Antardvipa. For that reason Yogapitha is known as Māyāpur, the city covered by Maya, and you are known as Praudhā Māyā. But when Gaurasundara goes to Pulina, then take shelter at Vamsi-vata and attend to the devotees. “I am known as Vṛddha Siva. Following the Lord’s order, I delude the materialistic fools by means of various false scriptures. And through your power, I am able to enhance the pastimes of Lord Sri Caitanya.”
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Pramana-Khanda, Chapter 4)

In the Mukti-sankalini-tantra it is said: “In Satya-yuga, Kurukṣetra is the tirtha; in Treta-yuga, Puskara is the tirtha; in Dvapara-yuga, Naimiṣaranya is the tirtha; and in Kali-yuga, Navadvipa is the tirtha.”
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Pramana-Khanda, Chapter 4)

Navadvīpa, which extends sixteen krosas, is the crest jewel of all spiritual abodes and the sporting ground of the Lord’s sandhini potency. It is the home of the Lord’s cit and ananda potencies and the resting place of all rsis, tirthas, demigods, and Vedas. May that Sri Navadvipa-dhāma become visible to my eyes. May my eyes see the sixteen krosas of Vṛndāvana within Mathura-mandala as identical with Navadvipa within Gauda-mandala. These two dhamas manifest from one principle which appears as two infinite and purely spiritual abodes to accommodate the Lord’s diverse pastimes. By His inconceivable, infinite spiritual potency (acintya-sakti) the Lord has brought these two dhamas into the material world to liberate the living entities dwelling here. By the mercy of Sri Kṛṣṇa, may living entities bound by ignorance see Vṛndāvana and Navadvipa-dhāma. By attaining proper qualification, the senses of the living entities can taste the spiritual nectar of these dhamas. Those with unqualified material senses cannot taste that sweet nectar and repeatedly deride these places as insignificant matter. The mercy of Krsna and His devotees is the agent for qualifying the senses. Out of compassion, the sadhus give this mercy to the devotees by their association. Proper qualification cannot be attained by following the paths of jñāna, karma, or yoga. Only by the strength of devotional faith and association with devotees is material illusion conquered. The moment the senses are released from the network of material illusion, the eyes will see the splendor of the spiritual dhāma. Oh, when will I attain that state? When will I see Śrī Navadvipa-dhāma beyond the illusion of this material world? Resembling an eight-petaled lotus, this pure abode is more cooling than ten million moons and more effulgent than ten million suns. When will that dhama appear before my eyes?
The supreme island named Antardvipa is surrounded by eight islands, resembling lotus petals. In the center of that most beautiful Antardvipa rests Māyāpur, the Lord’s appearance place. Upon seeing that place, I will achieve overwhelming bliss.
The Vedas sing of a transcendental place called Brahmapura. which is revealed to one whose eyes are free from illusion as Śrī Mayapur. This topmost abode, where the son of Saci performs His eternal pastimes, is the same as Gokula Mahāvana of Vraja.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)