Author Archives: Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

“The installation of Lord Nrsimhadeva lasted three days July 28-30, 1986. I remember feeling apprehensive that perhaps the installation was too simple. The grave warnings of the Sankaracarya of Kanchipuram had deeply impressed me. But my mind was soon appeased by the loud, dynamic kirtana. Sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krsna, the only true opulence

‘Gata-varsha’ (The Last Year) is an editorial written by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura for Sajjana Tosani, Vol.12, Issue 1 in 1900. The Thakura reviews the spiritual achievements made during the last year, and predicts that in future, people from all nations will come to the birthplace of Mahaprabhu. He also mentions his son, Siddhanta Sarasvati in

Vaishnava Jaya (Bhaimi) Ekadasi is an important fasting ritual observed on the 11th day during the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) in the month of Madhava in the Vaishnava calendar. This observance falls somewhere between the months of January to February in the Gregorian calendar. Jaya Ekadasi is also popularly called as Bhaimi

Sat-tila Ekadasi is also known as Trisprisha Ekadasi. This Ekadasi occurs in the dark fortnight of the month of Magha (January/February). The glories of Sat-tila Ekadasi are narrated in the Bhavisyottara Purana in a conversation between the sage Dalbhya and Pulastya muni. This is the first Ekadasi of the year 2023. It is an auspicious

The TOVP 2024 Marathon is underway to open Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Wing in October, 2023 and thereafter the TOVP during a three-month-long festival from December, 2024 until Gaura Purnima, March, 2025. One unique sponsorship opportunity are three specially designed Medallions as part of our ‘WE RUN, YOU WIN’ Marathon. Designed after the Olympics medallion, these beautiful

The TOVP Fundraising Department is pleased to announce the Doors of the Dhama Campaign to fund the production of sixteen doors surrounding the Nrsimhadeva altar. The entire Nrsimhadeva Wing and altar is scheduled to open in October, 2023. Set within specially designed glass frames with decorative marble borders are sixteen 9’/3m x 11’/4m Burma teakwood

As we enter the year 2023, His Grace Braja Vilasa prabhu, TOVP Co-Chairman, gives an inspiring appeal to help complete the TOVP and reach the next milestones to achieve that goal. In October, 2023 the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing and altar will open. The Grand Opening of the TOVP will be celebrated during a three-month-long festival

The TOVP management is pleased to announce that from February 12-16, 2023 the ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) will have their annual seminars in the TOVP. Braja Vilasa, TOVP Co-Chairman and ILS Committee Member stresses the importance of these meetings for ISKCON leaders, and invites all devotees with leadership positions to attend this important sanga and

Putrada Ekadasi falls on the 11th lunar day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Vedic month of Pausha (December/January). This day is also known as Pausha Putrada Ekadashi, to differentiate it from the other Putrada Ekadashi in the month of Shravana (July/August), which is also called Shravana Putrada Ekadasi. This is the

Dear Devotees and Friends of the TOVP, Hare Krishna! Please accept our obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! First, thank you to all the devotees who have supported our efforts over the years. We are forever and eternally indebted to you. The year 2022 comes to a close, opening the door to the beginnings of

We are heading towards the final months to sponsor a Nrsimha Brick. Sponsors will have their names inscribed on the Brick which will be placed under Lord Nrsimhadeva’s altar to remain for hundreds of years. With the opening of the completed Nrsimha Wing and altar in October, 2023, there is limited time to take advantage

Most ISKCON devotees have now become aware that in October, 2023 the TOVP will be opening the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing and altar. Prahlad-Nrsimhadeva will be moved onto Their new altar, along with Pancha Tattva, Radha Madhava/Ashta Sakhis and 15 new parampara acharya Deities, during the TOVP Grand Opening, a three-month-long festival scheduled for December, 2024

Saphala Ekadashi is one of the most pious and favorable fasting days. It takes place in the ‘Pausha’ month during the Krishna Paksha on the 11th day (waning phase of the Moon). The Saphala Ekadashi is also well known as ‘Pausha Krishna Ekadashi’ which usually falls in the months of January or December as per

This January, 2023 begins the countdown to the Grand Opening of the Nrsimhadeva Wing in the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in October. The entire structure of the Lord’s 12,000 sq. ft. (1,115 sq. m.) hall including His magnificent marble and granite altar will be completed and a grand festival is planned (date to be

The TOVP Communications Department is pleased to announce the release of our newest online publication, a pre-opening pictorial and descriptive flipbook of the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing. This beautifully rendered flipbook designed by Sri Radha devi dasi from Canada illustrates the completed hall using cgi images and a 360° panoramic view created by the TOVP 3D

The TOVP 3D Department has recently finished a 360° panorama view of the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing. Srisha das and Pavan Gopa das have rendered their collection of cgi images into an all-encompassing and awe-inspiring picture of the entire hall and altar, viewable from left to right, up and down, and zoomable in or out. In

Moksada Ekadasi, observed on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) during the lunar month of Margashirsha, is a very special Ekadasi in two regards: it is the all-auspicious day on which Lord Sri Krishna spoke the Srimad Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra at the place

This new Nrsimhadeva Wing update video from Sriman Braja Vilasa Das, TOVP Co-chairman and Director of Development, will not only inform you but will fill your heart and soul with inspiration and tears of joy to see the work going on in this magnificent and historic project, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Scheduled for

We are pleased to announce the release of the TOVP 2023 online calendar for both North America and India. Focusing on the opening of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Wing in October, 2023, each calendar month displays a beautiful photo of Mayapur Nrsimhadeva by photographers Thakur Saranga das and Aradhya Gauranga das. Using our state-of-the-art flipbook service, the

Dear U.S. TOVP Donors and Supporters, Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna! Today is Thanksgiving in the United States, a holiday set aside to give thanks to God. This country has always attempted to have God as an essential part of the lifestyle and culture. Even U.S. currency has “In

The 11th day of the waning phase of the Moon (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Margashirsha (November–December) is observed as Utpanna Ekadasi. It is believed that fasting on this Ekadasi relieves one from the reactions to sins of past and present lives. This day is also known as Uttpatti Ekadasi. The narration below of

Making of the Mayapur Vyasa Asana for Srila Prabhupada by Ananda Lila Devi Dasi A Video from the Mayapur Deity Outfit Department: Mayapur Divine Threads “Cintamani” – A spiritual touchstone that turns anything that comes in contact with it into gold, and yet remains the same. This video documents the offering of a cintamaṇi themed

A Video from the Mayapur Deity Dress Department by Ananda Lila Devi Dasi This video illustrates the making of a new outfit produced by Mayapur Divine Threads that was offered to Sri Sri Radha Madhava and the Ashta Sakhis of ISKCON Mayapur on the auspicious occasion on the first day of Kartik month, Sharad Purnima

This Ekadasi has four names: Utthana – Haribodhini – Prabodhini – Devotthani, and it is the second Ekadasi (Kartik Shukla, light fortnight) in the month of Kartik. It is said that Lord Vishnu goes to rest for four months during the period known as Chaturmasya. Starting from Sayana Ekadasi, which is the first Ekadasi that

ISKCON, Chowpatty, in academic collaboration with the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies in Gainesville, Florida (BIHS) and the Bhaktivedanta Research Center in Mumbai (BRC), will be hosting an international hybrid cosmology conference at the Govardhan EcoVillage (GEV) just north of Mumbai, November 4–6, 2022, titled “Puranic and Siddhantic Cosmology: Within an Experiential Mathematical Framework.” For

Dear Devotees, Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I am writing this message to you during a solemn yet joyful time when we recall the disappearance of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON. It is solemn because of the very heart-wrenching reality that Srila Prabhupada left our

The 11th day of Krishna Paksha (Moon’s waning phase) in the month of Kartik (October – November) is celebrated as Rama Ekadasi, named after Lord Vishnu’s consort, Goddess Rama. The day is also known as Rambha Ekadasi or Kartik Krishna Ekadasi. It’s recommended to chant extra rounds and stay up all night chanting and hearing

I will share with you some photos of festival pandals in West Bengal and other parts of India during Durga Puja this year. This has become an annual tradition and has been increasing over the years. These pandals exactly replicate the design and outdoor decorations of the TOVP. It is wonderful to see this. Such

This is a short but inspiring video overview of the major milestones in the TOVP construction progress since 2009. Please watch with devotion and help support this magnificent and historic project desired by Srila Prabhupada so we can open it in 2024. Make the TOVP First! TOVP 2024 MARATHON KI JAYA! WE RUN, YOU WIN!

We are pleased to present a collection of new TOVP Dome and Chatri photos by our main photographer, Thakur Saranga das. We hope this will instill confidence and inspiration in devotees that we are progressing towards the Grand Opening of the TOVP in 2024. Please consider this time to continue to support our construction by

Dear Worldwide ISKCON Devotees and Congregation, Please accept our obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. We would like to wish you a happy Kartik month full of divine service to Lord Damodar, and hope you and your family are well and in blissful Krishna conscious spirits. This time of the year is always greeted with

Dear Worldwide ISKCON Devotees and Congregation, Please accept our obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. We would like to wish you a happy Kartik month full of divine service to Lord Damodar, and hope you and your family are well and in blissful Krishna conscious spirits. This time of the year is always greeted with

Pasankusa or Papankusa Ekadasi is one of the most significant Vedic fasting days, and is observed in the Ashwin month on the eleventh day (Ekadasi) of Shukla Paksha. Therefore, the festival is also popular as ‘Ashwina-Shukla Ekadasi’. According to the Gregorian calendar, this festival is celebrated either in the month of October or September. Pasankusa

The Times of India recently published another article about the TOVP in the TIMESNOW section titled, ‘World’s Largest Religious Monument to Open in India’. Please read and share the article below. You can read the article in full here.     TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH Visit: www.tovp.org Support: https://tovp.org/donate/ Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com

TOVP Chairman, His Grace Ambarisa Prabhu, is pleased to announce to the worldwide ISKCON community the future opening of a beautiful, inspiring and permanent Prabhupada Museum in the TOVP, to preserve and display various artifacts related to ISKCON Founder/Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The museum will be called The Srila Prabhupada International

Ekadasi is the 11th day of the lunar phase of the Moon. Indira Ekadasi is celebrated in the Krishna Paksha (waning Moon phase) in the month of Ashwin (September–October). Since this Ekadasi falls on the Pitru Paksha (15 days in the month of Ashwin dedicated to ancestors), it is also known as ‘Ekadasi Shraddh.’ This

The TOVP Fundraising Department is pleased to announce our newest Seva Opportunity, the Murti Nirman Seva Campaign, offering sponsorships of all the murtis and artwork adorning the temple interior. Every part of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium is sacred and worshipable, from the dome tiles to the marble floor. In fact, the Lord’s house

On September 8, 2022, Gaudiya Vaishnavas worldwide will celebrate the holy appearance day of His Divine Grace Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakur, the pioneer of the Krishna consciousness movement in the modern world. We all owe an eternal debt of gratitude to this great acharya for bringing the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu into our lives.

On August 31, 2022 the Times of India travel section, TravelTimes, published information about the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Although the Grand Opening dates are incorrect (the actual opening is scheduled for December 2024), it will certainly help get the word out and increase awareness about this historic ISKCON project. You can read the