Author Archives: Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

We are approaching the end of this year’s BBT Bhadra Purnima Marathon to distribute 55,000 sets of Srimad Bhagavatams by September 29. Book distribution rages worldwide to reach the goal and surpass last year’s accomplishment of distributing 45,000 Bhagavatam sets. The final goal is the ‘SURGE’ to 100,000 Bhagavatam sets in 2026. Another special feature

The glories of Sridhama Mayapur are unlimited and inconceivable, as it is the abode of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates wherein “the concluding portions of the pastimes of Gokula exist eternally as the pastimes of Navadvipa.” (Brahma-samhita 5.5). In this divine realm the Lord tastes love of Godhead Himself in the mood of Srimati

In this inspiring update about the Nrsimhadeva Wing construction, Braja Vilasa also announces that the dates of the Grand Opening of the Wing have been moved forward to Gaura Purnima time from February 29 – March 2, 2024. This 3-day celebration begins on the 150th Appearance Anniversary of Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada and includes

Annada Ekadasi, also known as Aja Ekadasi, is observed during the waning phase of moon (Krishna Paksha) in August/September. The importance of this Ekadasi was mentioned by Lord Krishna to Yudhisthira and is found in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. It is believed that a person who observes this Ekadasi becomes free from the reactions of

The TOVP Management Team announces a change to the completion and opening dates of the Nrsimhadeva Wing in the TOVP. Originally scheduled for this October, the dates have been moved forward to February 29 – March 3 during the 2024 Gaura Purnima Festival. “In order to give more needed time for construction and allow for

Also known as Shravana Putrada or Pavitra Ekadasi, Pavitropana Ekadasi falls on the 11th lunar day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Vedic month of Shravana which in the Gregorian calendar falls in July or August. It’s recommended to chant extra rounds and stay up all night chanting and hearing the Lord’s

The Parama Ekadasi is one of the Adhik Mass or Mala Maas Ekadasi, which comes once in 3 years. This Adhik Maas Krishna Paksha Ekadasi is dear to Lord Vishnu, to whom all Ekadasi Vrat observance is dedicated. Observing Parama Shuddha Ekadasi Vrat alleviates poverty, brings prosperity and wealth. It dissolves past sins of the

The Padmini Ekadasi holds a special significance among the Vedic festivals due to its rarity and spiritual importance. Occurring once every 32 months, according to the Vedic calendar, this sacred day falls on the Ekadasi (11th day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) during the Adhik or Purushottama Maas (month). This year,

Kamika ekadasi is celebrated as Krishna Paksha ekadasi in the month of Shravan. Observing this ekadasi is considered as auspicious as performing an Ashwamedha Yajna. As Gaudiya Vaishnavas, our main aim during ekadasi is to decrease bodily demands so we can spend more time in seva, especially hearing and chanting about the Lord’s pastimes and

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Svami, the Mathadhipati of the Puthige Math — one of the 8 Mathas established by Srila Madhvacarya in Udupi — visited Sridham Mayapur along with his entourage on his Tirtha Yatra. Under Sugunendra Svami’s leadership, the Sri Puthige Matha has flourished and expanded its influence across the world. He has played a

A video by Alfred Ford (Ambarisa Das) – great grandson of Henry Ford In October of this year the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) will achieve another historic milestone of progress: the opening of the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing, the largest Nrsimhadeva Temple in the world. Beautifully designed and ornamented, the opening of this grand

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

Sayana Ekadasi (Shayani Ekadasi) (lit. “sleeping eleventh”) or Maha-ekadasi (lit. “The great eleventh”) or Prathama-ekadasi (lit. “The first eleventh”) or Padma Ekadasi, Devshayani Ekadasi or Devpodhi Ekadasi is the eleventh lunar day (Ekadasi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of the Vedic month of Ashadha (June – July). Thus, it is also known as Ashadhi

We are pleased to present the TOVP Prayer, written by H.G. Sriman Kalakantha prabhu, to all devotees. It is an appeal to the Lord to help us all do our part to complete this great and magnificent temple, Srila Prabhupada’s dearmost project, and the new home of our beloved deities at ISKCON World Headquarters in

Dear Devotees, This is a personal appeal from myself (Ambarisa das) and Braja Vilasa prabhu. We are quickly approaching the historic completion and opening of the Nrsimhadeva Wing in the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium this Fall. The dome interior, altar, pillars, walls, floors, doors and more will be finished and ready for Sri Sri

The 11th day of Krishna Paksha (Moon’s waning Phase) in the month Ashada (June – July) is observed as Yogini Ekadasi. This year the Ekadasi is observed on June 24 worldwide. It is considered a very auspicious and rewarding day to fulfill one’s wishes and destroy all the sins of a lifetime. This day is

In July 1986, the Deities of Prahlad-Nrsimhadeava were completed in Chennai, India and installed in Sridham Mayapur during a three-day celebration from July 28-30. This year commemorates the 37th Anniversary of that historic occasion. The history leading to that event is extraordinary and full of miracles, as is the history leading to the completion of

For all ISKCON devotees, the completion and opening of the TOVP should be a top priority, as per Srila Prabhupada’s desire and instructions. A major milestone towards that goal is the October opening of the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing, which will be the largest and most opulent Nrsimhadeva Temple in the world. To accomplish this historic

The drama, Arrival of Nrsimhadeva in Mayapur: The Journey from Fear to Shelter, is a play performed by ISKCON Pune devotees in 2020, based on the amazing and miraculous story of the making and arrival of the Prahlad-Nrsimhadeva deities in ISKCON Mayapur. The video of the drama is a production of Radha Kunjabihari Media Services.

“ON MARCH 24, 1984, at 12:20 A.M., thirty-five men armed with weapons and bombs attacked Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, ISKCON’s center in Mayapur, West Bengal. When the dacoits tried to steal the Deities of Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani, the devotees fearlessly challenged the attackers. How could the devotees see Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani

Apara Ekadasi is observed on the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight of the moon) in the Vedic month of Jyeshtha. It corresponds to the months of May-June in the Gregorian calendar. It is understood that by observing Apara Ekadasi vrata all the sins of the person will be washed away. This Ekadasi

Mohini Ekadasi vrata, also known as Vaisakha-sukla Ekadasi, is observed in the auspicious Vedic month of Vaishakha. It is one of the most important of the 24 Ekadashi vratas and is observed on the 11th day during the Shukla Paksha or the Full Moon fortnight. This year Mohini Ekadasi is observed on May 1 worldwide

The TOVP Give To Nrsimha 36 Day 3X Matching Fundraiser will be coming to an end on Nrsimha Caturdasi, May 4. In this video Braja Vilasa appeals to all devotees to give during this time for the completion of the Nrsimhadeva Wing, the largest Nrsimhadeva Temple in the world, scheduled to open in October this

Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most important days in the Vedic calendar. It is the appearance day of Lord Parasurama, and also the day that the Ganges descended to the earth. Most devotees know it as the beginning of Candana-yatra, but actually many of Lord Krishna’s other pastimes also took place on this day,

Message from the Chairman Dear Devotees and Friends of the TOVP, Hare Krishna! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! About a week ago we launched the Give To Nrsimha 36 Day 3X Matching Fundraiser , from April 30 (Rama Navami) until May 4 (Nrsimha Caturdasi), to raise $5 million for the completion of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Wing

Varuthini Ekadasi falls in the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Vaisakha. On the day of Varuthini Ekadasi, devotees worship and offer prayers to Lord Vamana the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In the literal sense, Varuthini means ‘protected’ and thus the devotees get protected from various negativities and evils by observing Varuthini Ekadashi.

Ekadasi is the 11th day of the Moon’s lunar phase, and Kamada Ekadasi falls on the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) in the month of the Chaitra (March-April). This day is also called ‘Chaitra Shukla Ekadasi.’ Kamada ekadasi this year falls during our Give To Nrsimha 36 Day 3X Matching Fundraiser from March 30 (Rama Navami)

The TOVP annual 12 Day Matching Fundraiser is about to begin, offering devotees another opportunity to serve the historic Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, ISKCON’s flagship world project. This year is especially important and crucial to our overall success because we will be completing and opening the Nrsimhadeva Temple in the TOVP, the largest of

The TOVP management is pleased to announce the auspicious Maha Nrsimhadeva Homa during the opening of the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing in October, 2023. This special yajna is planned during the three-day opening of the Nrsimhadeva Wing to create auspiciousness for devotees specifically and all mankind in general. It is a very powerful homa which removes

Papamocani Ekadasi falls on the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of moon) in the month of Chaitra as per the North Indian calendar. However, in the South Indian calendar this Ekadasi is observed in the Vedic month of Phalgun. In the English calendar this corresponds to the months of March to

The historic Grand Opening of Lord Nrsimhadeva Wing in October, 2023 (date to be announced) is part of the greater TOVP 2024 Marathon to open the temple in 2024. This is a crucial stage towards that goal, and we request all devotees to come together and give their might to complete Lord Nrsimhadeva Wing for

By Michael A. Cremo (Drutakarma Dasa): The Forbidden Archeologist Providing a strong challenge to established academic perception and methodology, Drutakarma Dasa presents the Vaisnava Hindu worldview on the fundamental concepts to the approach to and interpretation of the archaeological record. His presentation is articulate and thorough and the extensive research he has undertaken to support

The Sridham Mayapur Development Foundation has released it’s ISKCON Mayapur Master Plan brochure for the development of Mayapur into a full-fledged city according to Srila Prabhupada’s vision and instructions. The new brochure is available to view and download below as a pdf file or as an online flipbook. Please take this unique opportunity to help

Amalaki-vrata Ekadasi is celebrated in Krishna Paksha (Waxing Phase) in the Phalgun month (February–March). ‘Amalaki’ or ‘Amla’ is the Indian gooseberry, and the tree is celebrated on this day. It is believed that Lord Vishnu resides in this tree, and this occasion also marks the beginning of Holi — Indian festival of colors. This is

From the drone camera of Ajita Caitanya prabhu of the TOVP Construction Department we present a recent TOVP flyover of the entire temple structure, giving us a birds-eye view of this magnificent structure from the outside. This October we will be celebrating the opening of the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing of the temple, and from December,

On February 22, the India-based news website, Firstpost posted an article about the TOVP: Norwegian diplomat shares photo of world’s largest temple; take a look. Included in the article are Twitter and website links to view photos, cgi images and videos of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. The original Twitter photo post of the

In October of 2023 the TOVP will complete and reveal to all, the largest Nrsimhadeva Temple in the world. With over 10,000 sq. ft. of surrounding space and five levels of terraces adorned with paintings and bas-relief art panels depicting the pastimes of Lord Nrsimha and Prahlad Maharaja, this magnificent creation is a miracle in

For Gaura Purnima and Nityananda Trayodasi 2022 the TOVP published two inspiring and informative free online flipbooks detailing the history of the making, arrival and installation of our beloved Mayapur Pancha Tattva Deities. We present them here again this year in observance of the 2023 Gaura Purnima Festival for devotees to read and relish. As

With the coming historic opening of the completed Nrsimhadeva Temple in the TOVP this October, slated to be the largest Nrsimhadeva Temple in the world, we would like to request devotees to pray to Lord Nrsimha to remove all obstacles to our success. With that in mind we are pleased to offer the link below

According to the Vedic calendar, Vijaya Ekadasi falls on the 11th day of the month of Phalgun during the Krishna paksha (dark fortnight), waning phase of the Moon. The significance of Vijaya Ekadashi has been described in the several Vedic scriptures. The term ‘Vijaya’ in literal meaning signifies victory. Observance of Vijaya Ekadashi and it’s