Author Archives: Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

The Ekadasi Tithi in the month of Bhadrapada, Shukla Paksha (bright phase of the Lunar cycle) is known as Parivartini Ekadasi or Parsva or Vamana Ekadasi. On this day, Lord Vishnu, who is in a state of yogic sleep (Yoga Nidra), changes his posture. Hence, it is referred to as Parivartini Ekadasi (which literally means

The TOVP Fundraising Department is pleased to announce our newest innovation to accept cryptocurrency donations towards our numerous Seva Opportunity campaigns. Crypto donations will be managed by our partner nonprofit, Every.org, an organization that facilitates donations for thousands of nonprofits in the US. All U.S. and International cryptocurrency donations are paid to Every.org who disburses

This urgent and exciting message from His Grace Braja Vilasa das, Co-Chairman and Director of Development of the TOVP, expresses the importance of opening the temple on time in 2024 for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and our acharyas. Please watch and take advantage of this historic opportunity by sponsoring one of the new TOVP

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

A few months ago, we launched the TOVP Srila Prabhupada Murti Nitya Seva Campaign wherein devotees can sponsor Prabhupada’s daily offerings of bhoga and puja, or an outfit to wear. On the auspicious occasion of his 126th Vyasa Puja, we encourage devotees to take advantage of this unique seva opportunity to serve his Mayapur murti.

A few months ago, we launched the TOVP Srila Prabhupada Murti Nitya Seva Campaign wherein devotees can sponsor Prabhupada’s daily offerings of bhoga and puja, or an outfit to wear. On the auspicious occasion of his 126th Vyasa Puja, we encourage devotees to take advantage of this unique seva opportunity to serve his Mayapur murti.

On the auspicious occasions of Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja 2022, the TOVP Communications Department is pleased to announce the release of two new online flipbooks on the TOVP website for the pleasure and inspiration of all devotees. These books are viewable, downloadable and shareable, and we sincerely hope the reader will enjoy the

On the auspicious occasions of Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja 2022, the TOVP Communications Department is pleased to announce the release of two new online flipbooks on the TOVP website for the pleasure and inspiration of all devotees. These books are viewable, downloadable and shareable, and we sincerely hope the reader will enjoy the

The TOVP Team would like to take this opportunity on the most auspicious occasions of Krishna Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja 2022 to wish all devotees a most transcendental and blissful celebration this year. As the world continues to progress towards the darkness of ignorance under the influence of Kali and his agents, we

Also known as Shravana Putrada or Pavitra Ekadasi, Pavitropana Ekadashi 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

We like to show you a short video review of the current state of several outdoor areas of TOVP. These are the upper open terraces, which are located at the base of the Domes, Stone Balusters (railings) and spacious halls at the top of the Chatri Towers. The terraces, located outside the domes, are extremely

I would like to show you a short video about some of the exterior elements of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium: Peacock and Cornice Embellishments. A lot of work has already been completed, and this includes many, many architectural pieces made from GRC (Glass Reinforcement Concrete). In this video I will tell you a

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

Unique Sponsorship Opportunity: The 31 Dresses Campaign – sponsor an entire set of 31 Deity dresses for one day during the 3-month long TOVP Grand Opening Festival, scheduled for the Fall of 2024. This includes Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva, Sri Nrsimhadeva and the fifteen new sampradaya acharya murtis. A new set of

We have just installed the two remaining bas relief panels on the walls of the ventilation shafts of the Temple Room. These are large 16ft./5m. panels made of fiberglass and reinforced with metal inserts. The weight of each panel is more than 550lb./250kg. One panel shows the Rasa Lila dance of Lord Sri Krishna and

TOVP Architecture Dept. Report From the Head Architect The TOVP is a project that perpetually works on multiple paradigms at once: design, working drawings, and material research whilst simultaneously casting elements all across the country and building them coherently in Mayapur. The design team makes sure to put thought into the minutest detail to ensure

The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita, 4.11: ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham mama vartmanuvartante manusyah partha sarvasah As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pritha. For the bhakta, the reward for his surrender and service is love of God, not anything

The assembly and installation of the new TOVP flagpole was finally completed! It is made of high strength combined stainless steel pipe and is 9m (30 ft) high. A TOVP flag is fixed on it and an aviation light and lightning arrestor are placed at the highest point. Assembly and installation of this structure at

The beauty of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium exterior and interior will be a hallmark of this future wonder of the world. But the frontage temple grounds will also present a gorgeous display of attractive features. The temple 45-acre frontage will be adorned with luscious gardens and attractive walkways, interwoven with calming water displays

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