New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Right now is the perfect time to visit the Palace Rose Garden, whether you are a home gardener or simply a lover of roses.  The garden is in its first bloom until the end of June.

While most rose gardens have only one or two blooms each year, this year the Palace Rose Garden will have four blooms.  This is a testament to both the exceptional quality of the rose varieties and to the expertise of Betty Hickey, the Palace rosarian since 1985.

This current first bloom will last until the end of June.  The second bloom will be from mid-July until the end of July.  The third bloom will be from mid-August until mid-September.  The fourth bloom will be from mid-October until the first frost.

The Palace Rose Garden boasts over 100 different varieties of roses and over 850 plants.  The Palace of Gold Rose Garden has been accredited by the All-America Rose Selections (AARS) since 1987.  The standards for AARS accreditation are very high.  There is a two-year probationary period before being accepted, and annual surprise inspections after acceptance.  There are only around 130 accredited gardens in North America.

“The AARS requires that I maintain the overall appearance of the rose garden, so I usually do not pick flowers from the garden,” said Hickey.  “But I make exceptions for special occasions.  I pick flowers for Janmastami and I pick flowers for Prabhupada’s Appearance Day.”

Sunday, August 21, is Janmastami, or the day on which Lord Krishna descended from the spiritual world to this planet.  New Vrindaban will host a special midnight darshan and feast to celebrate Janmastami.  Janmastami celebrations will also be held on three other days as well, for those who are unable to visit the holy dham of New Vrindaban on the actual day of Janmastami.  The four Janmastami celebrations will be on the following dates:

• Saturday, August 20
• Sunday, August 21
• Saturday, September 3
• Sunday, September 4

On Monday, August 22, there will be a special celebration at the Palace of Gold to commemorate the Appearance Day of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of New Vrindaban.  The Palace of Gold was originally intended to be a home for Prabhupada, who left this world in November 1977, just a few months before the completion of the Palace.  The Palace was then converted into Prabhupada’s mausoleum.

Even if you have visited the Palace of Gold before, please come back and visit the Palace Rose Garden.  “These are colors that only God can create,” said Hickey with awe.