Krauncha dvipa and go-tirtha khanda
From the Bhakti List Archives
• June 29, 1997
Respected members of the bhakti group: In many of the Perumal temples in the USA, the rituals begin with a reference to Krauncha dvipa, hiranya varshe, go tirtha kanda, etc. Two weeks ago while in Toronto, I heard the Bhattar say "Krauncha dvipe, America khande, Canada pradeshe... Mero paschime parshve.." I thought our entire world was Jambudvipa? It had been my general impression, though I have not really thought about it, that the descriptions of the dvipas was really of the cosmos (the Jain descriptions are like that, and the different worlds are even in different stages of time). I would like to know how America came to be called Krauncha dvipa and by whom/when this identification was made. Can those who frequent other temples-- New York, Livermore, Cincinatti, Buffalo, etc. tell me if this is the same in their temples also? I was hoping that Sri Sadagopan who knows the NY temple and other temples well will clarify this matter. Thanking you, and with best wishes, Vasudha