Author Archives: Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

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

Please take a look at these elegant marble railings that will be placed on all three levels of the museum floors of the main temple room. These wonderful railings, with exquisite peacock reliefs, are made of the highest quality marble and brought to us here directly from Makrana (Rajasthan), the only place in India where

On a recent Press Conference with Nadia News, Braja Vilasa and other ISKCON Mayapur leaders announced the schedule for the Grand ISKCON Mayapur Ratha Yatra 2022. Starting on July 1st, from 2-9pm, the Rajpur Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra deities will be taken on Their 5km (3 mile) Rathayatra journey to the ISKCON Mayapur campus for

The first painted TOVP bas-relief by Ambhoda devi dasi of ‘Krishna Balarama and the Cowherd Boys’ is now finished. View the beautiful artistry and sublime colors painted onto the bas-relief panel made by local Mayapur artists. This is the first of four bas-reliefs to adorn the four corners of the TOVP.   Watch the TOVP

From the Head Architect Every space matters. Every line drawn on the AutoCAD defines that space. With great deliberation and calibration the drawings are released on the site one after another after another after another… With a total amounting to over 8,000 detail drawings, we gear up towards the upcoming milestones. Refining, reforming, evolving …and

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

This article is being presented in honor of the divine disappearance day of the original pioneer of the Krishna consciousness movement, His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktivinoda Thakur, June 28 (US) / June 29 (India). namo bhaktivinodaya sac-cid-ananda-namine gaura-shakti-svarupaya rupanuga-varaya te I offer my respectful obeisances unto Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, who is transcendental energy of Caitanya

This month’s Construction Photo Update includes photos of work being done in the Nrsimha Wing on the corridor doors, domes and ceilings, production in the GRC (glass reinforced concrete) and GRG (glass reinforced gypsum) workshop, the entranceway elephants and the bas relief panels. Go to the Construction Gallery link to view over fifty photos on

On November 7, 1974, an article about the Puranic Theory of Evolution appeared in the Times of India by a Mr. S.L. Dhani, a Vedic astronomer who was also organizing a conference. Being very keen on developing the proper conception for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, Srila Prabhupada wrote him a letter requesting his

The most auspicious and powerful Pandava Nirjala ekadasi is approaching on June 10 (US) / June 11 (India). Observing a full fast, including water, on this one ekadasi is equal to observing all others. And additionally, giving charity on this ekadasi leads to “imperishable” results. Srila Vyasadeva said to Bhima, “Oh Bhima, Lord Sri Krishna

In this video Braja Vilasa prabhu, TOVP Director of Development and Co-Chairman, gives us a detailed update on the Nrsimhadeva Wing progress, and shows us various aspects of the construction, now going on full-swing for the Grand Opening of the Wing in the Fall of 2023. This scheduled opening of the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing will

As we have already mentioned, 16.5 foot long (5 meters) wall bas relief panels will be located in the four corners of the TOVP Temple room. Two panels have already been installed and are now in the process of painting: Krishna and Balaram and the cowherd boys, and the Pancha Tattva dancing with Their associates.

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

With the success of the TOVP Giving To Nrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 3 – 15, the fundraising department has decided to continue the campaign through Nrsimha Caturdasi, 2023 under the name Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser. The entire Nrsimha Wing including the altar and interior is scheduled to open in the Fall

On the most auspicious occasion of Nrsimha Caturdasi, May 15 2022, we wish to honor and remember Mayapur Prahlad Nrsimhadeva’s most dearmost servant, His Grace Sriman Pankajanghri prabhu, who left this material world for the Lord’s eternal abode one year ago, through this video presentation of the future TOVP Nrsimhadeva hall and altar, and the

ISKCON Mayapur Management and the TOVP Team would like to invite all ISKCON devotees to watch the live Mayapur Nrsimha Caturdasi Maha Abhisheka celebration, May 15 on Mayapur TV from 4:30-9:00pm IST. The celebration will include an ecstatic abhisheka, a special movie premier, drama, guest speakers and more. The annual Maha Sudarshana Yajna will also

On the occasion of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Appearance in 2022 the TOVP Communications Department released the Prayers by Shani (Saturn) to Lord Nrsimhadeva flipbook. The flipbook is not only readable online but downloadable and shareable, and can be bookmarked as well on your reading device. Below is a short explanation of these wonderful prayers, and a

ISKCON Mayapur Management and the TOVP Team would like to invite all ISKCON devotees to watch the live Mayapur Nrsimha Caturdasi Maha Abhisheka celebration, May 15 on Mayapur TV from 4:30-9:00pm IST. The celebration will include an ecstatic abhisheka, a special movie premier, drama, guest speakers and more. The annual Maha Sudarshana Yajna will also

Mayapur Nrsimhadeva’s TOVP Temple is scheduled for completion and opening in 2023. While Lord Nrsimha will not be relocated into His new home at this time, this milestone event will herald the Grand Opening of the TOVP in 2024. The video displays computer generated images of the completed altar as well as the finished Nrsimha

On the occasion of Nrsimha Caturdasi, 2022, the song “Give To Nrsimha” by His Grace Nirantara Prabhu (ACBSP) is being offered to Mayapur Nrsimhadeva. The theme is focused on giving to Lord Nrsimha for the purpose of completing and opening His TOVP hall and altar in 2023 through the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from

In this video Braja Vilasa speaks about the completion of the TOVP Nrsimha Wing in 2023. This includes the entire interior of the hall as well as the Lord’s altar. This milestone will be of utmost importance to achieve as we move quickly towards the Grand Opening of the TOVP in 2024. To help facilitate

This video is from a visit to ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, England by His Grace Pankajanghri prabhu in June, 2019. He speaks of various pastimes of Mayapur Nrsimhadeva which will enliven your heart and deepen your faith. We hope it will also inspire you to help finish Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Hall in the TOVP, scheduled to open

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 12 worldwide,

The TOVP #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser began on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya (May 3) and continues until Nrsimha Caturdasi (May 15 – India time). Ambarisa prabhu has doubled his personal total donation to this fundraiser to $250,000 to match every dollar for dollar. Why not double your commitment to the TOVP also?

May 3 is Akshaya Tritiya, one of the most important days in the Vedic calendar. Akshaya Tritiya is the appearance day of Lord Parasurama, and it is 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

On the occasion of Nrsimha Caturdasi, 2022, the TOVP Communications Department is pleased to release the Lord Nrsimhadeva ISKCON Mayapur flipbook on our website. This is an online readable, shareable and downloadable flipbook made from the original publication by Sriman Advaita Acharya das containing the history of the making and arrival of Mayapur Nrsimhadeva, and

From the earliest days in ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada always stressed the importance of worshiping Sri Nrsimhadeva for the protection of ISKCON, its leaders and the devotees. Our Mayapur Nrsimhadeva manifested there in 1986 as a result of several attacks on the temple, and after His installation these disturbances ceased. Being the World Headquarters for ISKCON,

In this video Braja Vilasa prabhu speaks about the importance of the TOVP 2024 Marathon in order to open the TOVP in 2024 and relocate our beloved Mayapur Deities into Their new home. This is the final lap of the race to open the TOVP and we want every devotee to help win this race.

Despite delays due to the coronavirus pandemic which have set back our plans to open the TOVP by two years, we are now moving full the steam ahead to open the TOVP and relocate our beloved Mayapur Deities into Their new home in 2024. The TOVP 2024 Marathon is the final lap of this race

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.

We are very pleased to announce that on April 12, 2022, on the occasion of his 73rd Vyasa Puja, His Holiness Jayapataka Swami lit the TOVP Victory Torch and officially launched the TOVP 2024 Marathon to open the TOVP in 2024 and relocate our beloved Mayapur Deities into Their new home. Having dedicated his entire

The #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser is scheduled for May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi – India time). This is an opportunity to help complete Lord Nrsimhadeva’s TOVP wing so we can open it in 2023 as part of the TOVP 2024 Marathon. Ambarisa prabhu is generously matching a total of $250,000,

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.’ This Ekadasi is especially auspicious for disciples of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami whose 73rd Vyasa Puja will be celebrated on

The TOVP Team is pleased to announce our annual matching fundraiser, the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) till May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi). This year Ambarisa prabhu has doubled his matching commitment to a total of $250,000! Every donation will be matched, every pledge payment matched, dollar for dollar. There are

On April 12, 2022, the auspicious Kamada Ekadasi, disciples and well-wishers of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami around the world will celebrate his 73rd Vyasa Puja anniversary. To illustrate his desire to complete the TOVP for Srila Prabhupada’s pleasure, Maharaja will flag off the official launch of the TOVP 2024 Marathon to open the temple in

The TOVP was recently visited by Her Grace Nitai Sevini mataji from Vishakapatnam, along with 200+ devotees from that area. In this video she encourages us to help complete the TOVP as soon as possible so our beloved Mayapur Deities can be relocated there in 2024. Her husband Samba das manages the current temple in

The TOVP Communications Department has collected a large number of Srila Prabhupada’s known quotes relating to the Mayapur project and the TOVP taken from lectures, conversations, morning walks, his books and other books. It covers a wide range of topics and illustrates how important and dear ISKCON Mayapur, the World Headquarters of the Hare Krishna

The presence of Srila Prabhupada in the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in his murti form offers another wonderful opportunity to serve His Divine Grace and simultaneously help finance TOVP construction. The TOVP Fundraising Team is very pleased to announce the new Prabhupada Murti Nitya Seva campaign to our ever-growing list of Seva Opportunities. Through

We are in that phase of the project where the architectural drawings, although complete, are entering their next re-construction phase. This phase (often referred to as the ‘Invisible Phase’) is to ensure that the minutest inch increase in the brick and plaster is re-constructed in the drawing, because it has a domino impact on the

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