Baḍa Balarāmapura – Place of Pastime of Śrīla Śyāmānanda Prabhu

Baḍa Balarāmapura is situated in the district of Midnāpore. Śrīla Śyāmānanda Prabhu had many pastimes in this place. Śyāmānanda Prabhu completed the festival in Ālamagañja and then arrived at Dhārendrā where Rasamaya Vaṁśī Bhīmasikara told him, ‘O! Prabhu, whole life you have traveled to all the holy places. Now you please enter into family life.’ Then he got married at their request and at that time he came to Baḍa Balarāmapura. It is described in eleventh laharī of the south section of Śrī Rasika Maṅgala-

tathāya āchena jagannātha bhāgyavāna
tāṅra kanyā śyāmānande karila pradāna

nāma śyāmapriyā ati baḍa surūpinī
rūpe guṇe laksmī aṁse bhuvana mohinī

saṅkīrtana mahotsava kariyā ānande
bibhā karilena śyāmapriyā śyāmānande

The fortunate Jagannātha was living there. He handed over his daughter to Śyāmā- nanda. Her name was Śyāmapriyā and she was very beautiful. She was like Laksmī Devī in complexion and excellence, and an enchanter of the whole world. By joyfully performing the great festival of Saṅkīrtana, Śyamapriyā married Śyāmānanda.

In this way many wonderful pastimes were exhibited at this Baḍa Balarāmapura.