Panihati Chida-dahi Utsava
June 9, 2025
Panihati Chida-dahi Mahotsava is celebrated to commemorate a significant event in the history of Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya when Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami received Sri Nityananda Prabhu’s blessings to attain shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami and the Panihati Mahotsava
Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami, born around 1494 AD in Saptagram, Hooghly, West Bengal, was the only son of wealthy landlord Govardhana Majumdar. He became one of the six principal disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He desired to assist in the Lord’s mission of spreading Harinama Sankirtana. However, family constraints initially hindered his desire.
Srila Raghunatha Dasa displayed a strong sense of detachment from worldly life from a young age. He had an intense longing to join Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission of spreading the holy names and glories of Lord Krishna. Nonetheless, he encountered obstacles when trying to depart from home and dedicate his life to serving Lord Chaitanya.
Upon hearing about Sri Nityananda Prabhu’s visit to Panihati, Raghunatha Dasa went to meet him. Sri Nityananda Prabhu, an incarnation of Lord Balarama, was seated under a banyan tree by the Ganges, surrounded by devotees. Raghunatha Dasa hesitated to approach but was eventually noticed and summoned by Nityananda Prabhu, who playfully accused him of hiding like a thief. Nityananda Prabhu placed his lotus feet on Raghunatha’s head and ordered him to celebrate a festival by serving yoghurt and chipped rice to the devotees, marking the first Chida-dahi Mahotsava
With the blessings of Nityananda Prabhu, Raghunatha Dasa overcame all the impediments in his spiritual path and soon joined Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and became one of His close associates
This joyful chida-dahi festival is annually celebrated on the thirteenth day of the bright moon in the month of Jyeshtha (May-June) in Panihati and the Hare Krishna Movement centres worldwide
Panihati Chida-dahi Celebrations
Hare Krishna Golden Temple celebrates this festival every year with grand abhisheka for Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, followed by distribution of Chida-dahi Maha Prasadam.
An abhisheka is performed with milk, curd, ghee, honey, jaggery water, and exotic fruit juices. The abhisheka is followed by a grand arati.
Devotees prepare a variety of dishes by mixing chipped rice with condensed milk, yoghurt, sugar, bananas, mangoes, and assorted savouries, just as Raghunatha Dasa did. These offerings are first offered to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Nitai Gauranga, then distributed to all assembled devotees as maha prasadam (sanctified food).
Experience the spiritual bliss and community spirit at Hare Krishna Golden Temple’s Chida-dahi Mahotsava. Join us in celebrating this divine festival and receive the blessings of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga. Hare Krishna!
On this auspicious day, we invite you to sponsor the sevas and receive the blessings of Sri Nitai Gauranga.
