Author Archives: Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

By: Siddha Hari das for ISKCON News on Jan. 23, 2021 Posted with permission Bibek Debroy, Chairman of India’s Prime Minister’s Economic Council has launched Sidharth Chhabra (Siddha Hari Das) and Madhavendra Puri Das’ upcoming book on the Bhagavata Purana. Srila Prabhupada frequently asserted that the Puranic accounts are historical facts, although labeled mythology by

In this video you can see the progress of detail work on the exterior of the Nrsimhadeva wing outside Dome. Much has been completed and there are only a few subtle things remaining. We hope you enjoy this short video and seeing the beautiful outcome of our efforts.   TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY

Sounds of drilling machines, hammers, and marbles. Smells of wet concrete, and dust of cutting stones. Sights of scaffolding and busy helmets appear like the movement of ants amidst blue domes – all comes to an uncertain halt. Organize… plan… and then execute. A job well planned is half the job done! The difference between

The TOVP Book of Devotion, a special and magnificent 500 page, gold leafed offering to Srila Prabhupada of the names of 6000+ donors who have completed their pledges by the end of 2020, is scheduled to be presented to him at the installation of his new murti in the TOVP in October, 2021. This message

Much has been said about Prabhupada’s visionary leadership and scholarship in bringing India’s authentic culture, civilization, philosophy, and practice to the Western world. But very little is said about his vision for the future of the world as seen through the lens of science. In this post, I will try to capture his three big

Despite worldly events, pandemics, political upheavals, etc. the TOVP is still rising by the hands of every devotee. We are scheduled now to open in 2023, and with the Lord’s help this will be successfully accomplished. This year, 2021, is the 125th Appearance Anniversary Year of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, 1896-2021. And

We would like to update devotees worldwide, and especially disciples of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja, regarding the construction and completion of his samadhi in Sridham Mayapur. As many of you may already know, the design and style of the samadhi was selected to match that of Srila Sanatana Goswami’s samadhi in Vrindaban. A very

Dear TOVP Supporters, Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna! The year 2020 has been one of the most unusual and difficult years in the history of modern civilization worldwide. No doubt, karma is taking its toll and we are seeing this firsthand. Unfortunately, there have also been setbacks to the

Hare Krishna, We are happy to inform you of the first ever visit of the Public Accounts Committee of the Indian Parliament to Sridham Mayapur on January 10. The Public Accounts Committee is the oldest among all committees and is considered the most influential since they are tasked with auditing the public spending of the

For many phone users, WhatsApp has become the App of choice for free phone calling and Chat Groups. The TOVP also uses this medium for our Chat Group TOVP Now!. However, there are great limitations on the number of people who can join a WhatsApp Chat Group, 256 to be more specific. Thus, we currently

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Vedic Cosmology Videos section on the TOVP website. Videos have been compiled from several well-known ISKCON devotees, authors and scholars who have studied and presented many details on the subject. Topics range from the structure of the universe according to the 5th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam,

The year 2020 was a most difficult year for all of us due to the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic. With TOVP construction halted for almost eight months and a significant loss to our regular income stream, we had to make the difficult decision to push back the Grand Opening to 2023, and reschedule the installation of

Srila Prabhupada repeatedly called the modern class of scientists “rascals” and “cheaters”, and accused them of speaking “nonsense”. The fact is, he was not against science as a principle, but he did not accept the authority of modern scientists whose constantly changing conclusions are based on imperfect sense perception and speculation. “We have our authorities”,

In the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 5, Chapter 3, Text 8, Srila Prabhupada addresses the importance of acting to satisfy the Supreme Lord, specifically with regards to building huge temples. This answers the question sometimes put forward, “Why do we need another temple”? Of course, there are many reasons why the TOVP is important

This is a short video documenting the current stage of the immense Jaya murti who, along with Vijaya (Jaya and Vijaya are gatekeepers of Vaikuntha), will stand at the main entrance of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, as they do at most Visnu temples. Ambhoda devi dasi is the artist painting his divine features.

We are very pleased to inform the worldwide ISKCON devotee community that the GBC has kindly approved the design and size for the samadhi of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja in Sridhama Myapur. We are grateful for their decision and for quickly finalizing the plans so we can proceed with the work. The samadhi will

The last five days of Kartik beginning with Utthana Ekadasi on November 25 and ending on the Purnima on November 29 are known as Bhisma Panchaka. These are the final days of Grandfather Bhisma’s mortal existence when he instructed King Yudhisthira on various aspects of material and spiritual life in the presence of Lord Krishna

This is a final reminder to all devotees who have outstanding pledges to the TOVP that there is still time to have your name included in the TOVP Book of Devotion. This is a unique book of the names of donors to be offered to Srila Prabhupada at his murti installation ceremony in October, 2021,

New inspiring photos of TOVP and surrounding area made by a drone and kindly presented by Pavana Gopa prabhu from TOVP art team.

One of the best ways to stay in touch with TOVP progress is through the TOVP YouTube Channel. Aside from regular video documentaries and construction updates, we post our TOVP Talks interviews with ISKCON leaders and special events. There’s also a Community section where we post TOVP news articles and announcements. So subscribe to the

For Vaishnavas, especially Rama Bhaktas, Diwali is a celebration of the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after killing the demon-king Ravana. Philosophically it symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali also falls on an even more important day for Krishna bhaktas, Govardhana puja, the day

On Tuesday, December 1, 2020 the international day of giving known as #GivingTuesday will be observed in countries all over the world. Of course, while giving in charity is a most admirable act of good will, we understand from the Bhagavad Gita that there are different types of charity according to the three modes of

The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium is currently looking for full-time 3d Generalists for the Creative Services Department of the TOVP Exhibits. 3D GENERALIST Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process using computer animation or modeling programs. Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow,

Last several months we have made great headway into the drawings and details of the Ceiling Designs – the unifying factor of that huge volume of space. With its intricately carved details in a marriage of varied materials, it creates an interesting artistic narrative. Inside this aesthetic shelter are nestled innumerable services. Blending the art

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of Srila Prabhupada’s most beloved and dedicated servants from this world, His Grace Jasomatinandana prabhu, on October 24 in Ahmedabad. A preaching pioneer in India, he was the main force behind the development and construction of the current ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad, and

Dear ISKCON Leaders and Devotees Worldwide, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. As you know, we have planned for some time now to shift the Mayapur Deities into the new TOVP temple room by 2022. In the meantime, of course, the COVID -19 Pandemic came on the scene and all construction

Dear Devotees, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I have never felt as satisfied as contributing towards the TOVP. You feel being part of the manifestation of a divine prophecy. You feel being part of contributing towards Srila Prabhupada’s personal gift to Sridham Mayapur as an Acharya of the Sampradaya. I

Lord Krishna is conquered by the love of His devotee, not anything else. Because of that love He reciprocates by becoming His devotee’s chariot driver, His devotee’s gatekeeper, His devotee’s servant, and even agrees to be bound by a rope. There is no limit to how many ways the Lord exchanges love with His devotees,

Lord Narasimhadeva appeared in the month of Purushottama to protect His dear devotee Sri Prahlad Maharaja and annihilate Hiranyakashipu because Hiranyakashipu had received the boon to not be killed in the twelve months of the year from Lord Brahma in his vain attempts to achieve immortality. In honor of this historic event, which occurred in

What would it be like if Srila Prabhupada was here and he was coming to your temple? What would you do? What would you say? What would you be thinking? Can you even imagine such a thing? Yet this was an experience shared by thousands of his disciples in the early days of ISKCON, and

The following is a video by His Holiness Bhakti Purushottama Swami speaking about the historic Grand Installation of the new Prabhupada Murti in the TOVP in February, 2021 to celebrate the 125th Appearance Anniversary Year of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. February 25 – Nityananda Trayodasi / Worldwide Prabhupada Abhisheka February 26 – Bhakti Charu

The process of bhakti teaches us so much about life…the journey is as important as the goal. We would now love to share the ‘story’, ‘process’ and ‘journey’ which have contributed towards not just the project, but also our own internal growth. Click here to see it in your browser or download a copy to

Hare Krishna! I would like to share this wonderful sample painting of Srila Prabhupada done by bhaktin Ekatirina Andreeva from Volgograd in Russia. She is an aspiring disciple of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Maharaja, and as you can see is very talented! We look forward to her contributing in the TOVP project. This particular piece

After over six months of halted construction on account of the India lock-down, work on the TOVP has successfully resumed. Under the direction of Ambarisa prabhu, a special yajna was performed on August 29, the appearance day of Lord Vamanadeva, to bring auspiciousness to the planned restart of TOVP construction. As Vamanadeva took three steps

Lord Sri Krishna says: “For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.” Bhagavad Gita 18.68/69 The worldwide

In the memories of those devotees who lived and served during the physical presence of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, the expression, “Prabhupada is Coming”, became the clarion call whenever he visited a temple. Devotees would become overwhelmed with ecstasy and stay up all day and night in preparation for his arrival. When Prabhupada would

The wonderful and enchanting history of the month of Purushottama is a long one that takes the personified adhik maas to the highest spiritual realm of Goloka Vrindaban, where she is blessed by Lord Krishna to have 1000 times more benefits to the observer of devotional vows than the month of Damodar. Purushottama Maas comes

The following is a video by His Holiness Indradyumna Swami speaking about the historic Grand Installation of the new Prabhupada Murti in the TOVP in February, 2021 to celebrate the 125th Appearance Anniversary Year of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. 2021 celebrates the 125th Appearance Anniversary Year of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,

Please join us for this next TOVP TALKS ZOOM webinar with His Holiness Radhanath Swami speaking about his strategies for spreading Krishna consciousness to the elite and upper-class members of society.