Krauncha dvipa and go-tirtha khanda

[Guest guest]

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