Author Archives: Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

The annual worldwide GIVING TUESDAY event is scheduled this year for Tuesday, November 30th. This day is set aside by world leaders as a day to help make the world a better place to live and improve life for all by giving to the charity of your choice. While giving in charity for hospitals and

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

The article below appeared in WUFT News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Meet Alfred Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford and a Gainesville resident When most people hear the name “Ford,” they think of cars. But one heir to the company wanted to change that in

Forty-four years ago this year, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada left this world for the divine abode of Sri Krishna and His pastimes. During his empowered life as a preacher of Krishna consciousness from 1965-1977 he accomplished more than practically any acharya in history, bringing the opportunity for the highest attainment of Goloka

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 fast, chant extra rounds and stay up all night chanting and

The Festival of Diwali, lights, has become India’s largest and most important annual holiday and is celebrated by over 1 billion people, mainly of the Hindu religion, and can last up to five days depending on the celebrants. It is observed by the lighting of dipas or lights usually made of ghee wicks, placed in

By Michael A. Cremo (Drutakarma Das): The Forbidden Archeologist I presented this paper at The Sanskrit Tradition in the Modern World conference at the University of Newcastle, England, on May 19, 2000. The interactions among science, Hinduism, and Christianity are as complex as those in the three-body problem of astrophysics. In practice, astrophysicists select a

Every Krishna bhakta looks forward with great anticipation to Kartik Maas, the month of Damodar. During this time we make a special effort to remember the pastime of Mother Yashoda binding her naughty son with a rope to a grinding mortar as punishment for stealing butter. In her frustration to bind the unbindable Supreme Lord

Life and Origin of the Universe (Vedanta and Science) By T.D. Singh, PhD (HH Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swami) Since the dawn of civilization, all philosophical, scientific, religious and even artistic works, in principle, have centered around the study of life, its meaning and the origin of the universe. What is life? What is the origin of

On October 14 and 15, ISKCON worldwide celebrated the Grand Welcome Ceremony of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP). Through Mayapur TV, the two-day event was broadcast live on YouTube and multiple ISKCON related Facebook Pages, and viewed by hundreds of thousands of devotees, and attended

On October 14, during the Grand Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada to the TOVP, the TOVP Team will launch the first-ever e-Abhishekam online virtual murti bathing ceremony. Every devotee will have an opportunity to virtually ‘bathe’ Srila Prabhupada from a choice of several different auspicious substances. There is no cost for this unique seva opportunity.

This video of HG Hari-Sauri Prabhu was made in 2020 in preparation for the planned installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP in February of this year. Due the pandemic, the installation was rescheduled for October this year, but again has been postponed to 2022. Instead, we are observing a Grand Welcome Ceremony

The Grand Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP, Srila Prabhupada Vaibhava Darshana Utsava, will be celebrated in a few days on October 14 and 15. With the help of modern broadcasting technology, devotees all over the world can participate by watching this historic occasion from their own homes in over eight

This video of HG Jananivas Prabhu was made in 2020 in preparation for the planned installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP in February of this year. Due the pandemic, the installation was rescheduled for October this year, but again has been postponed to 2022. Instead, we are observing a Grand Welcome Ceremony

This video of HG Pankajanghri Prabhu was made in 2020 in preparation for the planned installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP in February of this year. Due the pandemic, the installation was rescheduled for October this year, but again has been postponed to 2022. Instead, we are observing a Grand Welcome Ceremony

This is the third Sampradaya Acharya video, by Pujya Shri Shri Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Sri Padru of the Madhva Sampradaya. Vishwaprasanna Teertha was born on March 3, 1964 at Pakshikere, Haleyangady. He is the successor of Vishwesha Teertha and is 34th in the lineage of the Pejavara Mutt, starting from Sri Adhokshaja Tirtharu, who was one

This video of HH Bhakti Purushottama Swami was made in 2020 in preparation for the planned installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP in February of this year. Due the pandemic, the installation was rescheduled for October this year, but again has been postponed to 2022. Instead, we are observing a Grand Welcome

This video of HH Indradyumna Swami was made in 2020 in preparation for the planned installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP in February of this year. Due the pandemic, the installation was rescheduled for October this year, but again has been postponed to 2022. Instead, we are observing a Grand Welcome Ceremony

In the first Sampradaya Acharya video by Shri Cheena Jeeyer Swami, head of the Sri Sampradaya of Ramanujacharya, he stated that, “in recent history I could not think of anyone except A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as the acharya of the modern times.” This second video by Sri Dwarkesh Lal Ji Maharaj, Head of Shatha Peethadheesh

This video of HH Lokanath Swami was made in 2020 in preparation for the planned installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP in February of this year. Due the pandemic, the installation was rescheduled for October this year, but again has been postponed to 2022. Instead, we are observing a Grand Welcome Ceremony

On October 14 and 15 ISKCON devotees worldwide will celebrate and participate in the most auspicious and historic occasion of the Grand Welcome Ceremony of the new Prabhupada murti to the TOVP: Srila Prabhupada Vaibhava Darshan Utsava. To commemorate Srila Prabhupada’s 125th Appearance Anniversary Year, we have invited His Divine Grace to reside in the

For the first time in ISKCON history, and to honor the 125th Appearance Anniversary Year of Srila Prabhupada, the TOVP management is organizing an online Sampradaya Samelan (summit) that includes the head acharyas of the four Vaishnava sampradayas. On October 14, during the first day of the Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to

Vaishnavism is not a new religion or recently invented philosophy. It is actually the oldest religion and philosophy of all, and even more so, it is the eternal function of the jiva in relation to the Supreme Lord, sanatana dharma. That function is loving devotional service in one of five primary relationships, neutrality, servitorship, friendship,

This video of HH Jayapataka Swami was made in 2020 in preparation for the planned installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP in February of this year. Due the pandemic, the installation was rescheduled for October this year, but again has been postponed to 2022. Instead, we are observing a Grand Welcome Ceremony

On October 14 and 15 ISKCON will combinedly celebrate the Grand Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP – Prabhupada Vaibhava Darshan Utsava. Prabhupada will now be personally present in the TOVP to inspire and direct us for its completion. This is Gaudiya Vaishnava history manifesting right before all our eyes, as

On September 1st, 2021 a specially designed and minted coin commemorating the 125th Appearance Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada this year was released by Indian Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Modi. This historic honoring of Srila Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON is most important for the future of ISKCON and humanity. The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium has

On the eve of a momentous event – the auspicious day of the official Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP on October 14 and 15 – an important event happened: the transfer of the murtis of Jaya and Vijaya, the two divine gatekeepers of the TOVP, to their permanent place at

Despite eight months of total lockdown in 2020 and limited construction in 2021, the TOVP is now back on track with our normal construction work force. Below is a list of current work and goals to achieve for 2022. Nrsimha Wing Completion We plan to have the Nrsimha Wing completed and ready for unveiling in

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

Life Comes from Life: Morning Walks with A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Morning Walks with A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada In these morning walk conversations along Venice Beach, Los Angeles in the mid-1970’s, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada reveals the Vedic understanding of life, consciousness and evolution. In fact, both matter and spirit

In almost every ISKCON temple and center worldwide, a large or small murti of ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada can be found. The murti is worshiped daily no different from any deity of the Lord, and Srila Prabhupada is thus considered to be personally present to accept our service and

On October 14 and 15 ISKCON will combinedly celebrate the Grand Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP – Prabhupada Vaibhava Darshan Utsava. Prabhupada will now be personally present in the TOVP to inspire and direct us for its completion. Five abhisheka options are available to sponsor, of which the most popular

It is with great pleasure that we announce the Samstapak Acharya Seva opportunity as one of our service options for Srila Prabhupada’s new murti Welcome Ceremony on October 14 and 15. It is titled as such because it recognizes ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya as the prominent acharya of Caitanya Gaudiya Vaishnavism for the next 10,000 (samstapak) years.

This article is being presented in honor of the divine appearance day of the original pioneer of the Krishna consciousness movement, His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktivinoda Thakur, September 18, 2021. 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 Mahaprabhu. He is a

The Ekadasi Tithi in the month of Bhadrapada, Shukla Paksha (bright phase of the Lunar cycle) is known as Parivartini Ekadashi 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

On October 14 and 15 the landmark historic occasion of the Welcome Ceremony of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in the form of his divine murti will take place: Prabhupada Vaibhava Darshan Utsav. Commemorating Srila Prabhupada’s 125th Appearance

Conceiving the Inconceivable: A Scientific Commentary on the Vedanta Sutra By Ashish Dalela (Rishiraja Dasa) Are life and the universe a mindless accident—the blind outworking of laws governing cosmic, chemical, and biological evolution? That’s the official story many of us were taught somewhere along the way. But what does the science actually say? Drawing on

The following is an excerpt from the book, The Glories and Pastimes of Srimate Radharani by His Holiness Bhakti Purushottama Swami. It is amazing recounting of the origin and creation of Sri Mayapur-dhama by Radharani Herself, for the pleasure of Lord Krishna. This gives us an inkling into the inconceivable purity of Sridham Mayapur where

This book from our TOVP online TOVP online Flipbook Collection on the website is available for reading by one and all. It is downloadable, can be bookmarked on your computer, and shared with others. From the Introductory Note: Through the ages pious people, especially holy men, sages and yogis have sought to take shelter of

A lot of progress has been made in the Staircase Towers – exterior and interior – design and execution. In-depth items have been captured in relation to the varied disciplines such as lighting, cladding, ornamentation, jalis, etc associated with the Staircase Towers. As the construction shapes up, the drawings tune in to achieve just the