Ākanā Māheśa Śrīpāṭa of Kamalākara Pipalāi (one of the Twelve Gopālas) and his son-in-law Śrī Sudhāmaya

Ākanā Māheśa is situated in the district of Hoogly. One has to get down at Śrīrāmpura railway station in Howrāh-Bandel route. From there three kilometers away the temple of Śrī Jagannātha Deva is situated.

This is the Śrīpāṭa of Kamalākara Piplāi who is one amongst the twelve Gopālas. This is also the Śrīpāṭa of Śrī Sudhāmaya, father-in-law of Nityānanda Prabhu’s son Vīrabhadra and son-in-law of Kamalākara Piplāi. The Ratha Yātrā and Snāna Yātrā (bathing ceremony) of Māheśa are very famous. It is described in Śrīpāṭa Darśana-

ākanā māheśera janma, jāgeśvare sthiti
kamalākara piplāi ei se niscita

It is sure that Ākanā Māheśa is famous for Kamalākara Piplāi.

Kamalākara Piplāi was the associate of Nityānanda Prabhu and was very strong and famous out of the twelve Gopālas. It is described in Gaura-gaṇoddeśa Dīpikā-

kamalākaraḥ piplāi nāmnāsīda yo mahābalaḥ

Kamalākara Piplāi was very powerful.

According to Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava dictionary he appeared in the village ‘Khālijuli’ which is situated in Sundaravana in the year 1414 Śakābda (899 Baṅgābda) in a family of caste Brāhmin. His father was a rich landowner. Although he appeared in Khālijuli village, subsequently he came to Māheśa in the district of Hoogly and established the Śrīpāṭa. This Māheśa village was full of jungles before. After coming over here Kamalākara Piplāi made this place beautiful and its glories were spread all over the place. He installed the Deity of Lord Jagannātha at Māheśa.

The brāhmin Sudhāmaya had no children and thus being frustrated, he invited the brāhmins of the entire village in a feast. He fed them nicely and donated almost all the wealth belonging to him. He kept the rest of his wealth for Lord Jagannātha’s offerings. At that time all the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas assembled there for visiting Jagannātha. Sudhāmaya, with great joy, accompanied them towards Śrī Kṣetra. He spent many years in front of Lord Jagannātha in Nīlācala.

Afterwards the brāhmin Sudhāmaya got a divine girl from the sea. He brought her up nicely. By the order and with the help of the sea he handed over the bride ceremonially to Vīrabhadra prabhu.

Gopāla Dāsa, the disciple of Ṭhākura Abhirāma was a resident here. It is described in Abhirāma Śākhā Nirṇaya-

māheśa grāmete bāsa gopāla dāsa nāma

Gopāla Dāsa was the resident of Māheśa village.

Nearby from here is situated Śrī Rādhāvallabhaji Deity at Cātrā-vallabhapura.

It is assumed that Ākanā Māheśa, Cātrā and Vallabhapura, all together are presently named as Śrīrāmpura.