Sri Navadvipa Dhama - By Harsha Lalita devi dasi

55. Ganga Mata - A Spiritual Mother: A wonderful quality of Ganga devi is her causeless compassion on the conditioned souls of Kali-yuga. Just like a caring mother, Ganga devi nourishes and protects the tender spiritual creepers of the living entities in this material world. Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu glorified this quality of Ganga devi when He was on His way to Jagannatha Puri soon after taking sannyāsa. While travelling through land where the Ganga did not flow, Gaurahari noticed that the people were not chanting the Lord's name. Then, coming close to the Ganga, He heard a cowherd boy chanting the name of Krsna.  Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "The great glory of the Ganges is that she teaches the chanting of Lord Krsna's holy name. The breezes from the Ganga blow here. That is why I hear Lord Krsna's glories." Caitanya Mahaprabhu walked swiftly being eager to be in Ganga devi's presence again. He joyfully dived into her waters and continued His praise, ...

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...