Free Family Festival In New Vrindaban Oct 21
On Wednesday, October 21, New Vrindaban Community will host a free family festival to commemorate His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was born in Calcutta, India, in 1896. He traveled to the United States in 1965, at age 70. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada passed away in Vrindaban, India, in 1977. Vrindaban, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, is located in north central India. Within its 84 square miles, there are over 5,000 temples dedicated to Krishna. New Vrindaban, West Virginia is named after Vrindaban, India.
Between 1965 and 1977, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada traveled around the world fourteen times and established more than 100 temples and centers, including New Vrindaban Community. He called his international organization ISKCON, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Even while traveling, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada translated into English over 80 volumes of ancient Sanskrit scriptures. One of his most important works, Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, is translated into forty-eight languages. Bhagavad-Gita means “The Song of God.” “I joined ISKCON because of the books,” says Sikhi Mahiti, President of New Vrindaban. “I found the philosophy interesting and I wanted to learn more.”
After Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s passing, New Vrindaban Community established Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold as his memorial. Every year, thousands of tourists visit West Virginia in order to tour the Palace of Gold.
Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold receives its name from the 8,000 square feet of 22-carat gold leaf used both inside and outside the building. Its true glory is its marble work. The Palace features 35,000 feet of marble, weighing 254 tons. Over fifty varieties of marble and onyx were imported from France, Italy, Canada, and the Middle East. In the temple hall, there is an antique French chandelier with rare Marie Antoinette crystals. There are many other special features of the Palace — you will have to see it to believe it!
Many of the festivities on October 21 will take place at the Palace. It is the perfect opportunity to take a guided tour and to hear how a group of young and idealistic youth built a palace in the rolling hills of West Virginia. Entrance to all events is free and open to the public. For more information about this festival or about the Palace of Gold, contact (304) 843-1812 or visit http://www.palaceofgold.com/.
