Mahatpura

As the devotees saw Niḥśreyasa Forest, situated on the other side of the Virajā River, they attained unlimited bliss. In this way, while reciting these narrations, they arrived at Mahatpura.
Nityananda explained, “This place is Kamyavana of Vraja. See it with great devotion. There were five banyan trees here in ancient times, but these have now disappeared. This place is now called Mātāpura, but according to scripture, the name was previously Mahatpura. When the five Pandavas and Draupadi were living incognito during exile, they came to Gauda-desa, Bengal. While in Ekacakra, Yudhisthira Mahārāja had a dream in which the glories of Navadvipa were revealed to him. The next day he became anxious to see the place, so they all happily came here. Seeing the splendor of Nadia, they praised the good fortune of the residents. And while living here for some time, they killed many demons. See, here is Yudhisthira-tilā, and here is Draupadi’s kunda. Aware of the glories of this place, Yudhisthira stayed here for some time. Then one day in a dream, he saw Gauranga, whose extraordinary form illumined all directions.
“Smiling, Gauranga said, ‘See My rare form. At your house, I am Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda, and I always stay with you as a friend. This Navadvipa-dhāma is the topmost abode, and in Kali-yuga it will manifest and drive away all darkness. As you have all been My servants for a long time, when My pastimes take place, you will again take birth. I will stay with you day and night on the shore of the ocean at Jagannātha Puri in Orissa. Please go now to Orissa, purify the place, and eliminate the suffering of the living entities.’
“Yudhiṣṭhira explained this dream to his brothers. After deliberation, they all went to Orissa. It was painful to leave Navadvipa, but the order of the Lord had to be obeyed.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 15)

This Mahatpura is nondifferent from Kamyavana. Krsna’s pastime place in Vraja. The associates of Gauranga raise a tumultuous sound here while chanting the name of Kṛṣṇa. While in exile, the five Pandavas, headed by Yudhisthira. resided with Draupadi for some time in this forest. They brought Vyasadeva here and heard him speak the Gaura Purana. And they performed intensive worship of Gauranga here. Even now the devotees can see the assembly of Yudhisthira and the rṣis-Bhauma, Suka, Devala, Cyavana, Gargamuni— sitting at the base of a tree and weeping as they hear the glories of Gauranga. When will I come to that assembly and pay my dandavats from far off? When I hear from the mouth of Vyasadeva the story of Gauranga delivering the atheists, I will sigh deeply in ecstasy. After some time, being unable to see that assembly. I will shout the name of Gauranga, fall flat on the earth, and cry. Feeling hunger as midday approaches, I will pick fruits from that forest. Just then the Pandava’s wife, Draupadi, will approach, carrying rice and spinach. “Here, child, take this offering of mine—a few handfuls of rice that have been offered to Gauranga.” Feeling most unworthy. I will offer my full obeisances to Draupadi and extend my hand to accept the rice and spinach. When I honor that wonderful gauranga-prasada, my tongue will be blessed. Whoever gets the mercy of the Lord’s maha-prasāda will certainly attain pure devotional service. May that mercy be eternally mine, so that I will be able to easily give up this material world.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)