Koladvipa

Process of Devotional Service: Pāda-sevanam (Serving the lotus feet)

Devotee Who Attained Perfection Through This Process: Lakṣmī

By adopting only one of these nine principles, the following renowned devotees of the Lord were able to achieve the highest perfection: …. (6) By serving the lotus feet of the Lord, the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, attained perfection.
(Śrī Īśopaniṣad 17)

“A young brāhmaṇa named Vasudeva was always engaged in the service of Varāha. As he worshiped the form of Varāha, he always prayed to the Lord in these words: Please be merciful and appear before me. Let my eyes and life be successful.’ Saying this, he cried and rolled on the ground. If my Lord does not show Himself, my life is worthless.’
“Shortly thereafter, the merciful Lord showed Himself to Vasudeva in His form as a boar. His body was decorated with ornaments, and His feet, neck, nostrils, face, and eyes were all-attractive. His body was as tall as a mountain. Seeing him, the brāhmaṇa thought himself very fortunate. He fell on the earth and offered his respects. Crying and confused, he rolled on the ground.
“Seeing the vipra’s devotion, Varaha sweetly said, ‘O Vasudeva, as you are My devotee, I am satisfied by your worship. When Kali-yuga comes I will display My pastimes here. Hear My words. In the three worlds, there is no comparison to Navadvipa. Though it is hidden now, it is My very dear abode. The scriptures confirm that all holy places such as Brahmavarta reside here.
“The place where Brahma performed a sacrifice and I appeared to kill Hiranyākṣa with My tusks, that holy place is present here, where I have appeared now. By serving Navadvīpa, all tirthas are served; and by living in Navadvipa, the fruit of living at all other tirthas is attained. You are fortunate to serve Me in Navadvipa. When Gauranga advents, you will be born here again. You will see the mahā-sankirtana and the astounding form of Gauranga.’
“After speaking these words, Varaha disappeared, and the vipra researched the meaning of the Lord’s words. Being a great pandita, Vasudeva scrutinized the scriptures and thus clearly understood that during the reign of Vaivasvata Manu, at the beginning of Kali-yuga, Lord Gauranga would manifest His pastimes at Nadia. The sages kept this secret, but they indicated by hints so that intelligent men could understand. After the Lord manifested His pastimes on earth, the scriptural evidences would also become clear. Thus the brahmana received the hint about the secret truths of Gaura.
“In great bliss, the brahmana performed sankirtana. He constantly sang the name of Gaura within his mind. After seeing the mountainous form of Varaha, Vasudeva carefully decided to call this place Koladvipa Parvata [kola-boar; parvata- mountain], but it is now known as Parvata. The devotees know that this is Giri Govardhana of Vṛndāvana.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 11)

Across the Ganges from Pañcaveni is enchanting Koladvipa, where the Lord appeared before His devotee in the form of a boar. In the scriptures this place is called Varaha-kṣetra. It is a spiritual realm rarely attained by the demigods. Also known as Kuliāpāhāda, this is considered the topmost place of gaura-līlā. After taking sannyasa, Sri Caitanya attempted a journey to Vindavana but was tricked and came to this town instead…….
O Koladvipa, be merciful to this worthless person. Allow me to reside in Navadvipa amongst the devotees, and give me the right to the wealth of the pastimes of Gauranga, who is my Lord in life and death.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)

“He said, ‘O Śrīnivāsa, just see the town of Kuliyā-pāhāḍapura, which was previously known as Koladvīpa.’ ” In a book named Navadvīpa-dhāma-parikramā, also written by Ghanaśyāma dāsa, it is stated: kuliyā-pāhāḍapura grāma pūrve koladvīpa-parvatākhyānanda nāma. “The town of Kuliyā-pāhāḍapura was previously named Koladvīpa-parvatākhyānanda.” Therefore one can conclude that the present-day city of Navadvīpa and the places known as Bāhiradvīpa, Kolera Gañja, Kola-āmāda, Kolera Daha, Gadakhāli, etc., were known as Kuliyā, but the so-called Kuliyāra Pāḍa is not the original Kuliyā.
(CC Madhya 16.207 purport)