Sri Navadvipa Dhama - By Harsha Lalita devi dasi

54. Ganges River: Lord Kṛṣṇa told Uddhava in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.16.20, “Among sacred and flowing things, I am the holy Ganges.”  Vṛndāvana Dāsa Ṭhākura says, “Kṛṣṇa is always present wherever these 4 things are found - Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Tulasī, Gaṅgā, and His devotees. The Deity form of the Lord may be worshiped only after doing the prāṇa-pratiṣtha ceremony (installation). However, the Vedas say that these other 4 forms are the Supreme Lord Himself from the moment they appear in this world.” (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 21.81)  Mother Ganga: The Agni Purāṇa describes the personified form of Gaṅgā devī as being white in colour, riding on a makara (a variety of fish) and holding a pot and lotus in her hands. “In Gaura-līlā, the Ganges River appeared as the daughter of Lord Nityānanda named Gaṅgā devī.” (Gaura Ganoddesa Dipika)  Ganga Devī in Navadvipa Dhama: Ganga devi and Navadvipa-dhama are synonymous. Her waters encircle the dhama as if she is embracing the Lord's body,...

53. His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda: Nārada Muni, the great mahājana, foretold Śrīla Prabhupāda’s extraordinary worldwide preaching in the Padma Purāṇa, Bhāgavat Mahātmyam (ch. 2.5-7), ‘O Bhakti devī, beautiful faced one, there is no other age like Kali-yuga, because you will be established in every house as well as in the heart of every person. Hear my vow. If I do not preach your message, subdue all other religions, and make devotional festivals predominant then I shall not be considered the servant of Lord Hari. In Kali-yuga, those people who follow you, even if they are sinful, will attain the abode of Lord Kṛṣṇa without fear.’ Nārada Muni’s saying that he will establish bhakti, means that it will be done through a devotee. This important Purāṇic verse predicts the phenomenal worldwide preaching activities of Śrīla Prabhupāda who fulfilled the prophecies of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nārada Muni. On at least two occasions, Śrīla Prabhupāda told us that Nārada Muni was attending ...

52. A Guided Tour of the Adbhuta Mandir: Śrīman Pāda Sevānam Dāsa, the chief architectural designer for ISKCON’s Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, describes the future temple. “The temple itself will be 386 feet high, compared to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s puṣpa samādhi which reaches 160 feet, and is already creating waves as being the largest religious structure in West Bengal. The heart of the temple will be the central sacred space - the altar upon which the deities stand. But the spiritual experience will already begin upon entering the gates at Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur. The Samādhi will have a direct connection, via a large promenade, to the temple. Just by walking along Prabhupāda Avenue, as it will be called, one will have an astounding experience. Gradually, one will see the magnitude of the temple as he looks through the trees, foliage, and various complimentary structures that purposely hide the full view of the temple. This experience will be like unwrapping a wonderful gift. A series of ma...

51. Temple of the Vedic Planetarium: “Practically this institution is the real United Nations. We have the co-operation from all nations, all religions, and all communities. It will be an international institute. To see the planetarium and how things are universally situated has nothing to do with sectarian ideas. It is a scientific presentation of spiritual life.” (Srila Prabhupada Letters 76/26/6) “Temple of Vedic Planetarium” will establish Vedic principles of life using scholarly methodology. It will scientifically educate its visitors on the Vedic world view, that the universe is a life-based hierarchical system, originating from a Supreme Living Force, showing it is non-sectarian and essential to human life. Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted a scientific presentation of Vedic Culture, that would dispel all thoughts that it was mythological. Śrīla Prabhupāda said the temple complex in Śrī Māyāpur Dhāma should be called “Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.” Giving this name indicates that Śrīla...

50. The Māyāpur Community: Who should live in Māyāpur? “If your heart is set on crossing over the ocean of repeated birth and death, enjoying the sweet nectar of hari-nāma, and hankering to play in the ocean of Kṛṣṇa-prema, then please reside in Māyāpur City.” (Navadvipa Sataka) “Śrīla Prabhupāda envisioned Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur as an integrated community of diverse people; all contributing to produce an exemplary social and economic atmosphere with Kṛṣṇa in the center. Such a city must be self-sufficient, or as Śrīla Prabhupāda put it, ‘The idea is we must have the necessities of our life as far as possible independently.’” (Mayapur Journal) “Regarding our proposal for West Bengal, people may come and join us without any distinction of caste and creed. The occupation will be according to one’s capacity. They will be employed in cottage industry, backed by spiritual advancement of life to understand the mission of human life, their relationship with God and how to act accordingly. “The ide...

49. ISKCON Māyāpur Project: “Of all planets in the universe, Jambudvīpa (earth) is the worthiest. Of all places on earth, Bhārata-varśa (India) is supreme. Spiritually, Gauda-maṇḍala (Bengal) is the most exclusive. And of all places in Bengal, Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur is the crest jewel.” (Jaiva Dharma) In this regard, Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “There is no place in the world like Māyāpur.” (Mayapur Journal 2.2) “The ISKCON Navadvīpa centre is situated on the Rudradvīpa island. Below Rudradvīpa, in Antardvīpa, is Māyāpur. There, Śrī Jagannātha Miśra, the father of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, used to reside. In all these different islands, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, as a young man, used to lead His saṅkīrtana party. He thus inundated the entire area with the waves of love of Kṛṣṇa.” (Cc. Ᾱdi 13.30 pur.) The 9 islands of Navadvīpa represent the 9 forms of devotional service mentioned in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Although ISKCON is continually expanding and opening new centres throughout the world, Śrīla Prab...