ABSTRACT
One of the main causes championed by Binode was the reform of holy places, for much abuse had developed in the pilgrimage centres of India, especially during the largest of the fairs at such places as Prayag (Allahabad) – fairs known as kumbh-melas. Already Acharya Pranavananda was involved with his friends back in Bajitpur in social service: now he determined to add the reformation of the holy places to his programme. In due course the movement for the reform of the holy places touched other sacred places as well. The Mother stood for all forms of universal energy, including social forces. Gaya was of such marvellously holy power that anyone who even touched him or saw him would be assured of translation to heaven. A certain Jagat Bandhu Paramanik of Kumarkhali village in the Nadia district of Bengal came to Gaya, escorting his widowed sister-in-law Sarojini on her pilgrimage.
