Author Archives: Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

A few days ago the fourth ring of the main dome was completed, and almost immediately the fifth ring was begun. Each of the segments will be installed every two days. We look forward to seeing the finished gigantic main dome, and how this transcendentally unique structure which will attract the minds of the entire

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Dear Devotees, Greetings from Sri Dhama Mayapur. The auspicious Kartika month is soon approaching, a favorite month of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas when we are always trying to do extra seva to make advancement and receive the mercy of the Lord. During this month devotional service is enhanced a thousand-fold and brings the devotee immense spiritual

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My family and I are currently based in Durban South Africa, we also have a home in Orlando Florida. I met ISKCON devotees in the early ‘80s and joined ISKCON at Soho Street London in the winter of 1984. I first visited Mayapura in 1988 and fell in love with the wholesome atmosphere of Vaishnava

The post Donor Bio – Guru Gauranga Das & Family appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

In the mid-1990’s ISKCON scientist Sadaputa das (now deceased) of the Bhaktivedanta Institute was instrumental in designing the planetarium as well as various scientific exhibits for the TOVP project. In this Srimad Bhagavatam lecture/video (3.29.6) from 1997 his genius and intelligence stand out as he explains the nature and purpose of some of the exhibits,

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Just look how fast the fourth level of the main dome is coming up! Only 7 segments left until it will be fully complete.

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From Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta, by HH Satsvarupa dasa Goswami. He had sent two of his disciples, Tamala Krsna and Bali-mardana, to purchase land in Mayapur. Six days had passed, however, and still they had neither returned nor sent word. He had told them not to return until they had completed the transaction, but six days

The post Let There Be a Temple – Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita, Vol 5 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

In the photo on the left you can see how ISKCON Mayapur looked in 1979. A big field of vegetables in front of the main gate was all that was there at that time. Now you can see the beautiful Temple of the Vedic Planetarium quickly rising, with the fourth ring of the main dome

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This is a view of the TOVP from Nabadvip Ghat. We can see how wonderful and immense the TOVP looks from a greater distance. In this photo we have captured a beautiful monsoon cloudy day. Also you can see the fourth ring of the main dome coming up. One can imagine how beautiful the TOVP

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The wonderful Deity of Sri Narasimhadeva will have His own separate wing in the main temple. This part of the temple will be made of special white and black marble with beautiful golden decorations. Construction of the altar has just started.

The post…

The сenterpiece of the temple complex is the grand chandelier which will hang in the main dome of the TOVP serving as a model of the universe to provide visitors an enlivening tour of the various regions of the cosmic creation. This giant model will be built according to descriptions in the Fifth Canto of

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In the first two photos you can see the construction of the TOVP fundraising building. It will serve as headquarters for the TOVP project and will be situated in the far right corner of the site. The estimated completion date is October, 2014. The next two photos record the construction progress of the utility building.

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This is the Grand Altar where Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Sri Panca-tattva will be moved, and the Sri Guru Parampara installed.
The construction of the altar is progressing rapidly. In the future, thousands of people from all over the world will stand he…

Installation of the fourth ring of the beautiful and marvelous Temple of the Vedic Planetarium began a few days ago.
3 out of 24 sections are now complete. Each part of a new segment will be placed every 2-3 days until the fourth ring is complete.

The…

Moving the Deities into the new temple will be a great step forward in the Deity worship. The Mayapur Deity department is the largest in ISKCON and many pujaris will be serving the Deities of Sri Panca-tattva, Sri Sri Radha Madhava. Lord Narasimhadeva and the Guru Parampara. They will be housed in the Long Building

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In celebration of Sri Krishna Janmasthami and Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja Part Two of the film series documenting the construction of Prabhuapada’s flagship project Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur, West, Bengal, India, has been released. While Part One entitled “The Cosmos out of the Rice Fields” explores the history and start-up of the project, Part Two

The post Unity In Diversity – A Community Creates The TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

The trees in the nursery are green and lush. With over 2000 planted, they are inventory for the vast landscaping that will be done on the TOVP grounds and surrounding areas.
Several different species will be used to frame the striking building. Once f…

The blue marble blocks from Bolivia have been cut.
The photos show the wonderful quality of the marble and its pristine luster. The blue marble will be used around the altars in the new temple.

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On the glorious and auspicious hundredth anniversary of the disappearance day of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, this brand new video about the TOVP project, which was so dear to Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur has been released. Many of our prominent leaders in ISKCON have spoken very well to encourage participation from all members of ISKCON society. This

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As the devotional ecstacy of building and completing the TOVP increases like the flood of love of God, devotees worldwide are coming forward to assist with promotion and fundraising. Officially formed under the banner of the Toronto, Ontario temple with the guidance and inspiration of His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami, the TOVP Canada Team has begun

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The waterproofing is being taken to the next level, the rainwater pipes are now being installed. They function to allow the surplus liquid from the dome to pour off and prevent water damage. The building is being protected against water seepage on any level and it will be perfectly sealed against moisture. These pipes will

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Exciting news lands in Mayapur. A service whereby helicopters transport pilgrims and devotees from Kolkata to Mayapur is moving forward. Today marked the first time the journey was made and several people greeted the arrival with enthusiasm. The next step is negotiating the fee which will be charged to interested parties using this quick transportation.

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The TOVP welcomes its newest member, Sudhakar Das. An experienced devotee, he is sure to be an asset to the team. Having joined ISKCON in Mayapur, Sudhakara prabhu has been here since 1994. He immediately began doing seva in the community by first working for the guesthouse. After two years he became the supervisor of

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“What did you say, ” was shouted across the temple floor. Pointing and miming followed. Then a head nod. Since the sound of machinery and the chatter of laborers fill the ether with the healthy buzz of progress, devotees working on the TOVP site have been forced to find an alternative means of communication to

The post Pics and Piles appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

A layer of protection is being applied to the cement floors of the super-structure and other areas where a surplus of water passes.
This waterproofing ensures that water and the elements will not penetrate and degrade or corrode any part of the super-s…

More excitement at the TOVP as the third ring of the main dome begins installation. It is expected to take five weeks for completion.

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The TOVP is looking more like a temple and less like a construction site with each passing day. Especially now since the altars and brickwork are progressing!

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Article written by His Holiness Giriraj Swami The Mayapur Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), under construction, recently opened an office in the ISKCON Juhu temple, at Hare Krishna Land in Mumbai. In honor of the occasion, and to further the cause, I thought to share an excerpt adapted from my article “Memories of Sridhar Swami”

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Mumbai being the largest metropolis of India, Srila Prabhupada endeavored enthusiastically and established a large temple at Juhu Beach. Mumbai temple has influenced the preaching of ISKCON in India greatly. Srila Prabhupada’s vision was that the congregation and life members of Mumbai can very easily establish the city of Mayapur by building the TOVP and

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A new artist has joined the TOVP. Straight from the shores of Australia, Bhakti Vardhana das has made the banks of Mother Ganga his new home. The Art Department quickly deployed him to lend his talents in the construction of the TOVP scale model. His current task is building and painting the kailash and its

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Rudyard Kipling wrote, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Perhaps he was exposed to the rich tradition of story-telling in Gaudiya Vaishnavism during his time in India. Indeed, stories are an honored means to understand the pastimes and philosophy of this spiritual practice. What of ISKCON’s history?

A whirling fan offers small relief to the oppressive summer heat of West Bengal. Devotees working on site have accepted the austerity and continue on peacefully with their seva. In between gulps of water and wiping brows, progress on the mold of Gopal Bhatta Goswami punctuates each day with milestones. The process of creating a

Stories of preaching the glories of the TOVP usually conjure images of sannyasis speaking to crowds of devotees, or Ambarisha prabhu addressing rooms full of eager donors. How often does the audience think of Bengali laborers? Interestingly, it is this section of the Mayapur community who are often overlooked. Beyond the glories of artistic creations,

The Art Department has been working a marathon with early mornings and late evenings to progress with sculpting the Six Goswamis. Jananivas and Pankajanghri prabhus were recently into the TOVP to approve the final mood of Gopal Bhatta Goswami’s deity. The next step in this process will be covering it in fiberglass followed by a

TOVP artist, Manju Lakshita Devi Dasi is working on the designs for the altar doors. Check out her beautiful work!

The main altar is being cast! This is where Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Panchatattva and the Guru Parampara will be installed.

Dear Devotees, Hare Krsna, AGTSP! Greetings from Sridham Mayapur.The 2014 Gaura purnima festival has begun and our thoughts and prayers for your well being are at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu because you are a devotee and supporter of Srila Prabhupada’s most ambitious project- the TOVP temple. This year is very special since

Below, the head of the Art Department, Drdha Vrata das answers frequently asked questions. What are your tasks and process? My crew and I have been given the task of making the artwork being designed for ToVP. This means, after the designs are finalized either for deities, dioramas or architectural elements, we get it done