Disappearance Day of Sri Saranga Thakura

What is the Disappearance Day of Sri Saranga Thakura?

Devotees keep the Disappearance Day of Sri Saranga Thakura, an associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Navadvipa, in memory of the day he left this world. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 6 December.

Significance

Saranga Thakura lived at Mamagachi in Modadrumadvipa, one of the islands of Navadvipa, where he worshipped his Deity under a Bakula tree. One day Lord Gauranga saw that the tree was drying up. He embraced it with His golden arms, and the tree burst into green leaves and fragrant flowers. Devotees still worship this tree at Sri Dhama Mayapur.

Saranga Thakura had vowed not to give initiation. In a commentary quoted in Srila Prabhupada's purport, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura tells how Saranga Thakura at last changed his mind:

Thus one morning he decided, ‘Whomever I see I shall make my disciple.’

Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 10.113, purport

How to observe it

Devotees remember Saranga Thakura by chanting the holy names and hearing about the Lord's pastimes in Navadvipa. They may also call to mind how he worshipped his Deity under the Bakula tree. The day follows the lunar calendar, so its English date moves from year to year.