Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura &Sri Gadadhara Pandita-- Disappearance

The disappearance day of Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Gadadhara Pandita is observed with deep devotion in the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition and ISKCON.

Devotees explain that Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita was the eternal associate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and is considered the manifestation of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s mood and compassion. From childhood, Gadādhara Paṇḍita was always attached to Mahāprabhu and remained His intimate companion throughout His pastimes. He would lovingly recite Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam to Lord Caitanya in Purī, and his devotion was filled with humility and deep separation from Kṛṣṇa.

Many Gauḍīya devotees also honor Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura as a great modern ācārya who revived the pure teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He rediscovered the birthplace of Mahāprabhu at Māyāpura, wrote many devotional books and songs, and envisioned the holy name spreading throughout the world. ISKCON devotees especially remember that Śrīla Prabhupāda fulfilled this desire through the worldwide Hare Kṛṣṇa movement.

According to devotees, it is very significant that Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura departed from this world on the same tithi as Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita. Devotees explain that Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura had deep attachment to Gaura-Gadādhara worship and always remained in the mood of service to Gadādhara Paṇḍita.

Before his disappearance in 1914 at Jagannātha Purī, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura instructed devotees to continue nāma-saṅkīrtana. Surrounded by devotees chanting the holy names, he peacefully entered the eternal pastimes of Śrī Śrī Gaura-Gadādhara and Rādhā-Govinda.