Puthiya Rajbari is one kilometer off the Natore-Rajshahi highway. A famous and ancient Zamider lived here who was from the realm of the Mughal emperor, Akbar.
Once, the sons of Çréniväsa Äcärya sent two Vaiñëavas to this region. At that time the king was Ravindranäräyaëa. He was a Shakta follower, but converted to Vaiñëavism by the influence of those two devotees. His daughter, Saci Devi, was the princess of Puthiya and was inclined to bhakti since childhood, devotedly worshipping Kåñëa and practicing austerities from an early age. Her parents wanted her to get married but she said that she would not accept a mortal as her husband.
After the death of her mother, Saci Devi had the fortune to meet the priest of Govinda Ji temple in Våndävana, Haridäsa Paëòita. She begged him to initiate her, but Haridäsa Paëòita at first refused, knowing her to be a princess. However, he later agreed to initiate after seeing her devotion and stoicism.
On Ekädaçé during the month Chaitra, on a Wednesday, Haridäsa Paëòita gave mahä-mantra initiation to Saci Devi at the Govinda Ji temple. Sri Saci Devi engaged in deep solicitation and pursuit of her spiritual goal by living on madhukäré-vikña, begging from door to door, to get the mercy of her Gurudeva. After living for one year in Våndävana, she met her senior god sister Lakñmépriyä Devé on the order of her Gurudeva. They stayed in Rädhä-kunòa and performed their bhajana. They circumambulated Giriräja Govardhana every day. After passing couple of years in Rädhä-kunòa, Saci Devi moved to Puruñottama-dhäma, taking the vow of kñetra-sannyäsa. At that time the place of Vasudeva Särvabhauma was near extinct. All that remained was the çéla Çré Rädhä-dämodara that had been served by Vasudeva Särvabhauma Thakura and which was now worshipped in an old temple.
Saci Devi studied the scriptures sincerely. Later she became expert in discussing Bhägavatam, staying in the Rädhä-kunòa in the association of Vaiñëavas. She explained the Bhägavatam to devotees who would come hear her devotional and lucid explanation. Gradually she became famous and then the king, Mukunda Dutta, expressed his desire to hear Bhägavatam from her.
One night, King Mukunda dreamt that Çré Jagannätha Deva ordered him to offer the place near the Svetagaìgä , the house of Vasudeva Särvabhauma, to Saci Devi. King Mukunda informed her of the order of Lord Jagannatha the next morning.
Though Saci Devi was spiritually advanced and strictly non-materialistic, still she gratefully accepted the offer, remembering the order of her Gurudeva to discover the hidden térthas. Her purpose was selfless service to God, and she desired to please Him. She knew no suffering, but rather her joy knew no bounds from her opportunities to serve. After the discovery of the place of Särvabhauma Bhattacharya by Sri Saci Devi, it became famous as Gaìgämätä Matha in Puré-dhäma.
Presently there are 16 temples in Puthiya. In the middle-east side of Puthiya Palace, the Panca Ani Govinda temple is situated. This was established in 1889. The middle stone of the temple is larger than the stones on each four sides. There is a room in the basement which is situated in the innermost area of the temple. Full-sized deities of Çré Rädhä, Çré Govinda, Çré Gopäla, and Çré Gaura-Nitäi sit on a high wooden altar. But the deities are new. Presently the priest and five of his associates are engaged in the service of the temple. Every day, devotees bring their offerings there. Vaiñëava festivals like Holi, Ratha-yatra, Janmäñöamé, etc. are celebrated here. Dola-manca is situated beside the Govinda Sarovara pond, and the Çré Gopalji temple is situated in front of the pond.
The architectural design of these temples is amazing. Regular worship was performed in these temples in the Zaminder (landlord) period. It is not exaggeration to say that these temples are standing as the witness of time. Still a huge Païcaratna temple of Bhuvaneçvara Mahädeva, established by the then Zaminder, is standing on the bank of a large pond named Çivasägara. The Çiva-liìga in this temple is huge, and is worshipped with devotion regularly. On the occasion of bathing him with Gaìgä-jal, a big festival is celebrated on the last Monday of the Bengali month of Çravaëa.
How to Go There
Puthiya is situated in Rajshahi district. Puthiya Upazilla is nearly 30 km away from the Rajshahi city, on the east side of the Natore-Rajshahi highway.
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