Dear Community Members,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We would like to invite you to the New Vrindaban Village Association Inauguration Party on Saturday, March 26th, 2016 (5pm – 8pm). There will be great prasadam, great entertainment and great association, and the Village Association participants will receive a very special gift for becoming a member.The event will be held in the Community Hall, underneath the Palace Lodge. Please see the schedule below…..

Please come with your friends and family members. We very much look forward to your participation.

Thank you.

Your servant,

Vrindavan dasa

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ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 02/14/2016

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes Simple Living, Cow Protection, Engaging Oxen, Local Agriculture, and above all, Loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, and Sri Tulasi Manjari

Participating Advisors: Jaya Krsna, Radha-Krishna

Participating Managers: Mukunda, Nitaicandra

Recording Secretary: Jamuna Jivani (partial attendance)

1. Vraja Johnson as Advisor

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to maintain a team of advisors.

RESOLVED: The Board designates Vraja (Meberg) Johnson as an Advisor for a one-year term.

2. ISKCON New Vrindaban Community Gardens

INV recently expressed a long-term vision to develop housing along the edge of the Community Garden space. The ECO-V Board has been made aware, generally agrees with the proposal and requests the specifics be addressed by the ECO-V and INV managers.

3. Kulimela 2016 Event Funding 

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support the promotion of the New Vrindaban village in the broader ISKCON community.

RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board grants $16,500 to the Kulimela Association in support of the upcoming festival to be held in New Vrindaban June 2016.

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By Madhava Smullen

The words “Kuli Mela” literally mean “celebrate community!” in Sanskrit. And the tenth anniversary of the very first Kuli Mela – coming back to New Vrindaban from June 15^th to 19^th –will do exactly that.

With its main themes of “celebrating family” and “building community,” the festival will bring around 1,000 people from the first, second, and third generations of ISKCON together: the original pioneers of Prabhupada’s society, their now grown-up children, and their children.

The days will feature a variety of seminars, with a special focus on family and community. For instance, there’s one seminar on parenting, and another on how to start and maintain intentional communities, with successful examples from around the U.S.

There will also be an all-day bhajan kutir in the ‘yajnashala’ between the temple and the Lodge, where kirtan-lovers will be able to sing their hearts out.

Evenings will be full of top-flight entertainment from the main stage set up in the field in front of Prabhupada’s Palace. Likely offerings will include contemporary and traditional dance, devotional music in a variety of styles, drama and more.

“We’re not just looking for professionals, we want to have a good time with people we know,” says lead organizer Bhima Walker. “That personal connection between audience and performer is a big part of what we’re trying to do.”

After the scheduled show every evening, non-amplified entertainment, such as music, dancing and kirtan, is likely to continue into the night, allowing attendees to express their creativity. Bhima wants to facilitate this kind of non-structured socializing as much as possible, so that people can connect with each other on a deep level.

“What I’m most interested in for this Kuli Mela is the quality of the association,” he says.

Relationship-building between ISKCON’s older and younger members is a particular focus. On Thursday, all the generations will socialize at a community picnic hosted by renowned chefs Advaita and Sudhanu.

In addition, Panels of New Vrindaban and ISKCON North American leaders will join Kuli representatives in two plenary sessions – “Celebrating Family” on Thursday, and “Building Community” on Friday. Together they’ll discuss our past, present and future in these areas with audience contributions.

There will also be a service appreciation ceremony to recognize the work of pioneering gurukulis.

“My idea is to make this whole thing about the people, and to get the different generations talking,” says Bhima.

All the generations will also chant together — another powerfully bonding activity — in the 24-Hour Kirtan festival, held back-to-back with Kuli Mela from June 18^th to 19^th. Kuli chanters like Amala Harinama and the Mayapuris will join senior Srila Prabhupada disciples such as Bhakti Charu Swami, Radhanath Swami, and Agnidev Das.

As would be expected for a festival where caring for people is the main concern, Kuli Mela will serve three delicious prasadam meals daily, with healthy and vegan options at every meal. As much as possible, cooks will use dairy from New Vrindaban and Gita Nagari’s protected cows.

An all-day kids’ camp will allow parents to attend seminars, while their kids have fun with coloring, arts and crafts, storytelling and more. “The kids will also get their own meals so that if the main lunchtime runs late, they won’t get cranky, and they and their parents will be happy and peaceful,” says Bhima.

Guests will be accommodated in the recently renovated motel-style Palace Lodge rooms, in the cabins around the lake, and in hotels in nearby Wheeling and Moundsville. Camping will also be available onsite in New Vrindaban.

“Kuli Mela’s 10^th anniversary, celebrated in the same year as ISKCON’s 50^th, is showing the continued evolution of our broader Hare Krishna society,” Bhima says. “So let’s gather to celebrate the love of our family and to forge new ties in our ever-expanding community.”

With festival costs estimated at between $75K and $90K, and all organizers working as unpaid volunteers, Kuli Mela is a labor of love. Attendees are invited to join in this loving service by helping the event to break even and contributing the registration cost.

Tickets for Kuli Mela are currently available at a discounted price of $75 per person until March 31^st. Ticket prices will progressively increase until they reach the estimated $150 per person festival cost. Get yours now at https://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/43143/chk/b50f

For Regular Updates, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/kulimela

The event’s main website is at: http://www.kulimela.org/

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ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 01/31/2016

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya and Ranaka

Recording Secretary: Jamuna Jivani

1. Directorship Renewal

Ranaka was re-elected to a three-year term as a Board Member.

2. New Directorship

After serving one year as a Board Advisor, Sri Tulasi Manjari was elected to an initial one-year term as a board member.

3. Advisor Renewal

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to maintain a team of advisors.

RESOLVED: The Board renews Radha-Krishna Dasi’s role as an Advisor for another one-year term.

4. Officer Renewal

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to appoint members to fulfill the officer roles for 2016.

RESOLVED: The Board designates Kripamaya as the ECO-V President for one year.

RESOLVED: The Board designates Ranaka as the ECO-V Secretary and Treasurer for one year.

5. Chairperson Renewal

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to appoint members to fulfill the organization’s roles for 2016.

RESOLVED: The Board designates Bhima as the ECO-V Chairperson for one year.

6. Recruiting New Advisors and Directors

The ECO-Vrindaban Board Members are interested in recruiting new Advisors who may potentially become Directors. Some of the current Directors mentioned possible candidates and encouraged the continued search for others who may be interested to volunteer in ECO-V related activities.

7. Announcements

The next on-site meetings will be held at New Vrindaban the weekend of April 15-17, 2016.

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Sri Sri Gaur Natai beautifully dressed in multicolored sequin dresses.

Lord Nityananda’s Appearance Day, also known as Nityananda Triyodasi, is celebrated all over the world by Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Lord Nityanada is the most magnanimous expansion of Lord Sri Krishna, and Who is none different from Lord Balaram. Lord Nityananda is the adi guru, the first guru, and He is worshiped as the most merciful incarnation of Godhead.

New Vrindaban devotees celebrated this most auspicious appearance day of Lord Nityananda on February 20^th, 2016. Around 120 devotees from the community and the surrounding areas gathered to glorify Lord Nityananda and to seek His mercy.

The celebration began with an ecstatic morning program where devotees enthusiastically participated in chanting and dancing as if Lord Nityananda was personally present. The program continued with Guru Puja and Deity greetings followed by a wonderful Caitanaya Caritamrta class given by Sankirtan Prabhu on various pastimes of Lord Nityananda. In his class, Sankirtan Prabhu explained how Lord Nityananda showers His mercy to everyone without even considering their qualifications.

Madri devi dasi, who always relishes the Vaisnava songs, organized the community devotees to come sing bhajans for the pleasure of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. One of the many songs sung was Boro Sukher Khabor Gai by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur. In this song Bhaktivinode Thakur writes, “Lord Nityananda is greatly merciful. Taking only one’s faith, He gives the highest ecstasy, except for the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, there is no other shelter”.

H.G. Gaur Gopal Prabhu, one of the senior disciples of His Holiness Radhanath Swami, visited New Vrindaban Dham from ISKCON Chowpatty, India, for the first time. He gave three excellent seminars in glorification of Lord Nityananda with themes “Service: The Heart of Vaisnavism”, “The Mercy Department,” and “the Original Spiritual Master”. In his seminars, Gaur Gopal Prabhu described Lord Nityananda as an extremist, Lord Balaram as a separatist, and Lakshman as a loyalist. The reason Lord Nityananda is described as an extremist is because Lord Nityananda gives His mercy to everyone even Jagai and Madhai, who are considered to be the most sinful. Everyone appreciated Gaur Gopal Prabhu’s seminars.

Every devotee had the opportunity to bath Their Lordships Sri Sri Gaur Nitai with honey, water, fruit juice and flowers during the abhiseka.

Lakshman Isvara Prabhu led electrifying kirtan during the Gaura Aarti. Everyone ecstatically jumped, danced and chanted Nitai, Nitai, Nitai Gauranga!

The program ended with a grand feast cooked by Brhat Kirtan Prabhu and Sivaraj Prabhu, the feast included rice, dhal, subjis, dahi vara, kachori, tamarind chutney, puri, and cake baked by Lakshman Isvari Prabhu.

Jaya Nitai! Jai Nitai! Jai Nitai!

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ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 01/10/2016

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya and Ranaka

Participating Advisors: Sri Tulasi Manjari

Participating Managers: Mukunda, Nitaicandra

Recording secretary: Jamuna Jivani

1. 2015 Finalized Operating Budget Approval

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to review ECO-V’s income and expenses for the previous year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves a finalized operating budget of $245K for 2015.

2. 2016 Operating Budget Approval

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to set projections of ECO-V’s income and expenses for the upcoming year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves an operating budget of $350K for 2016.

3. ISKCON Escondido Barn Grant

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support self-sufficiency within the greater ISKCON North America communities.

RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board approves a matching grant up to $11K for the ISKCON Escondido farm towards the purchase of a barn to use in the development of their cow protection and local agriculture programs.

4. Mukunda’s Monthly Report

Mukunda is currently in Florida for a winter construction job. This past month’s projects:

• Requested walls of the Temple goshala to be insulated.
• Ray is putting the finishing touches on the conference room.
• The Prabhupada House has been turned over to INV.

5. Nitaicandra’s Monthly Report

• Oxen have been moved to Nandagram; they are being trained by Caitanya Bhagavat on a daily basis.
• Nandi the ox has a recurring infection, which is healing but he has not been able to work.
• He helped develop the ECO-V 2016 Operating Budget.
• The tractor and equipment have been moved to the Valley barn.
• A number of the staff members for the vegetable garden program have been selected.
• He will begin purchasing seeds and plants for next season.
• Nitaicandra is in California preparing to move his belongings, tools, and oxen to New Vrindaban.

6. Madhava Gosh Prabhu’s Passing

Madhava Gosh Das passed away peacefully in his home on January 2nd, after an outpouring of care and support from the community throughout his last few days. A memorial was held for him at New Vrindaban on January 4th, and his body was cremated. An obituary was released in the Brijabasi Spirit, and an article on his life will be released this week.

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to recognize one of its Directors and long-time New Vrindaban community member, Madhava Gosh Das.

RESOLVED: The Board approves an official statement in his honor (see below).

With great appreciation, along with a deep sense of loss, the ECO-Vrindaban members hereby acknowledge Madhava Gosh Prabhu for his significant contributions to the development of New Vrindaban over several decades.

We particularly appreciate his heartfelt commitment to Srila Prabhupada’s vision for simple living, including the tree planting program and cow care endowment he worked tirelessly to implement.

Since his passing on January 2nd, 2016, Madhava Gosh has been greatly missed. Our prayers, affection and gratitude go out his wife Vidya Dasi; five children, Manjari, Madhu, Vraja, Marken & Tulasi; three grandchildren, Mary, Gracie & Sydney; and his many friends & well-wishers.

7. Budget for Appreciation Gifts

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to offer a token of appreciation to the INV and ECO-V staff and volunteers during the Spring 2016 meetings.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $1,500 as a budget for plaques and t-shirts to distribute during the April meeting weekend.

8. Spring 2016 Onsite Meeting Dates

Possible weekends in March and April for the next onsite meeting were discussed. Chaitanya Mangala will check with INV for additional dates to accommodate everyone’s schedule.

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Dear Brijabasis, Gaura Purnima Festival is coming soon on Tuesday March 22nd, 2016. Please join us to celebrate this auspicious appearance day of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu! Please invite your friends and family. Gauranga!

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By Madhava Smullen

In July 1966, after braving thirty-five days at sea on a cargo ship, two heart attacks, and months of struggles in New York’s Bowery with little money to his name, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Some of his main purposes for the Society included “to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large,” and “to bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna.”

Fifty years later, residents of his first rural community, New Vrindaban, are celebrating his Society’s Golden Jubilee with a packed year of events that intend to spread spiritual knowledge and deepen connections with devotees, the general public, and local municipal leaders.

Senior Prabhupada disciples, Soma das and Jaysri dasi, bathe Nrsimhadev and Prahlada Maharaj on Nrsimha Caturmasi 2015.

The first event will be a two-day festival on May 20^th and 21^st celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the installation of New Vrindaban’s Nrismha-Prahlad Deities, the only full-sized such Deities in North America.

Sculpted and molded by local devotee artists and installed in 1986, the ferocious half-man half-lion Lord with His deep black skin and golden mane stands seven feet tall.

“We plan to invite devotees from all over North America to come celebrate this unique festival with us,” says ISKCON New Vrindaban president Jaya Krsna Das. “Together, we’ll bathe the full-size Deities of Lord Nrsimhadeva and Sri Prahlad in an abhisekha ceremony. And we will ask senior devotees to come and share their memories of the installation.”

The first stage reading of The Ramayana by Kripamaya Prabhu, June 2015

Next, on June 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th will be the premiere of a two-hour epic Ramayana musical by longtime New Vrindaban resident Kripamaya Das.

Devotees from neighboring cities will join New Vrindaban residents and students in the audience, packing out West Liberty University’s 230-seat Kelley Theater in nearby Wheeling.

“I’ve been working on this off and on my whole life,” says Kripamaya Das, who began his dramatic career with New Vrindaban’s Brijabasi Players in the early 1980s. Currently enrolled in a music and theater program at West Liberty, he is delighted to finally see his dream come to fruition. And on a professional stage, with a cast of some fourteen students and devotees, no less.

“We plan to invite some theater directors and producers to see it, and if they like it, we hope to go on to have it produced in Pittsburgh or enter musical festivals in New York,” he says.

From June 15^th to 19^th, meanwhile, will be one of New Vrindaban’s biggest festivals of the year. The tenth anniversary of the first Kuli Mela will be celebrated back-to back with an event that was born from its bhajan kutir — the 24-Hour Kirtan festival.

Kuli Mela will epitomize New Vrindaban’s aim to build deep relationships during the 50^th anniversary year, with ‘celebrating family” and “building community” as its main themes. Around 1,000 people from the first, second, and third generations of ISKCON are expected to attend for three days full of seminars, activities, bhajans, and entertainment.

Radhanath Maharaj playing mridanga at 24 hour kirtan 2013

For the 24-Hour Kirtan festival on the weekend, attendance is expected to remain high, with Kuli chanters like Amala Harinama and the Mayapuris joining senior Srila Prabhupada disciples such as Bhakti Charu Swami, Radhanath Swami, and Agnidev Das.

Of course, for ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary, New Vrindaban devotees are also looking to do a large outreach event to connect with the local public. Residents have celebrated their own Rathayatra at New Vrindaban since 1973, but this year will see the first Festival of Chariots in local town Wheeling on Saturday July 16^th.

Ratha Yathra Celebration in New Vrindaban 2015

Organizer Vrindavana Das will give interviews about the event with newspapers and TV stations in advance, emphasizing the importance of ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary year and highlighting Srila Prabhupada’s achievements. On the day, New Vrindaban’s over five-foot tall Jagannath Deity will parade through Wheeling on his 30-foot high chariot, followed by a stage show on the Ohio River waterfront. The show will include a welcome and lecture, a dance, a drama, and kirtan, followed by prasadam.

“This is about making ourselves visible to the public again,” says Jaya Krsna. “We already have the Festival of Colors on September 17th where they come to us, but with the Rathayatra we’re going to them. It’s our offering to the city and its residents.”

Srila Prabhupada visiting New Vrindaban in early 1970’s

ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary is also the perfect time to reintroduce the “Prabhupada Festival” that was celebrated at Prabhupada’s Palace over Labor Day Weekend from 1979 until the mid ‘80s.

Hundreds of previous residents of New Vrindaban from its early days will be invited for the September 30^th to October 2^nd weekend event, and hosted as honored guests.

“It will be a revival of giving special attention to Srila Prabhupada and to the devotees who helped build his Palace and first developed New Vrindaban,” says Jaya Krsna.

During the festival, devotees will spend a whole day at the original New Vrindaban farm. There are plans over the summer to renovate the farmhouse where Srila Prabhupada stayed for one month in 1969, and to decorate it with photographs of old times. The festivities will take place under a pandal nearby, including devotees telling many stories of their experiences in those pioneering years.

As well as deepening relationships with devotees and the general public, ISKCON New Vrindaban also wants to connect with local municipal leaders and dignitiaries.

Communications Director Vrindavan das (far left) welcomes the Marshall County Convention Bureau to New Vrindaban in September, 2015.

Many will be invited to a VIP Dinner on October 20^th, including the mayors of Wheeling and Moundsville, church, business, and law-enforcement leaders, deans of local universities, and celebrated artists in their fields. The event will include a delicious prasadam meal and a cultural presentation.

“As we work hard to follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and gradually improve the image of his New Vrindaban village,” says Jaya Krsna, “We want to be good citizens, to connect with our neighbors. And in the process, we want to let them know about ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary and Srila Prabhupada’s achievements.”

After ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary, more celebrations are to come with the 50^th anniversary of New Vrindaban in 2018. Plans include a book and film on the history of New Vrindaban, more efforts at reconnecting with current and previous residents, and a recreation of Srila Prabhupada’s famous Bhagavat-Dharma Discourses from 1972.

“As we celebrate the 50^th anniversaries of ISKCON and New Vrindaban, we remember that Srila Prabhupada is our spiritual founder,” says Jaya Krsna. “He established New Vrindaban as a sacred village, he gave us so many grand visions and bold instructions, he visited four times, and it’s clear that this community is important to him. And today, of course, we can feel his presence so strongly in his Palace. Therefore our intention should be that everything we do here, we do it for him.”

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Vidura Das, born November 25, 1944, left his body peacefully at his home in New Vrindaban, WV, on the auspicious appearance day of Lord Nityananda, February 20, 2016, at the age of 71.

A disciple of Srila Prabhupada and long time resident of New Vrindaban, Vidura and his wife of 45 years, Tryadhisa, have been serving in the Dhama since 1984.

On July 31st of 1970 Vidura and Tryadhisa married, soon after Vidura ran across a copy of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is in a used book store and began his spiritual awakening. That same year while in Boston they ran into devotees in downtown Boston performing sankirtan. “Jadhurani was taking donations in a conch shell and gave us the pamphlet on chanting Hare Krishna” recalls Tryadhisa. Shortly afterwards they both joined ISKCON in Boston and Vidura took first initiation from Srila Prabhupada, July 18, 1971.

Vidura holding the umbrella serving Srila Prabhupada

Vidura served as the sankirtan leader in many cities and setup college preaching programs wherever he went. A land surveyor by profession, he endeavored on many projects in New Vrindaban such as the brick road, parking lot, devotee houses and many land surveys. In 1973, he participated in the construction of the Krishna Balarama Mandir in Vrindavan, India.

After living in Boston for some time Vidura missed Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra and in 2008 he built his own house, close to the temple in New Vrindaban, mostly himself. He woke up every morning at 4:30 to chant his rounds, and read from Srimad Bhagvatam for the rest of his life. He enjoyed listening to Prabhupada lectures and kirtans throughout the day.

Back in 2013, Vidura was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils and began two rounds of chemotherapy and radiation at Wheeling Hospital in West Virginia. At first the doctors thought his condition was improving; however, a PET scan on August 28, of 2015 revealed that the cancer had metastasized, spreading to his lungs and they gave him 6 months to live. As the months progressed his condition declined and it became increasingly difficult for him to breath.

Then on Lord Nityananda’s appearance day, Vidura’s breathing went from labored to shallow as his loving wife was reading to him from Srimad Bhagavatam about the soul going back to Godhead. She sprinkled Ganga jala into his mouth and on to his head as she chanted Hare Krsna to him. He left his body at 10:15 am February 20, 2016, as Srila Prabhupada was singing Nitia Pada Kamala softly in the background.

Vidura Prabhu is survived by his wife of 45 years, Tryadhisa Dasi, and many friends around the world.

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Recently, the office wing of the temple building and the apartment building II went through roof transformations. Yoder Amish Roofing Company began replacing the temple’s office wing roofing on Monday, February 29^th, 2016 and replaced the apartment building II roofing on Tuesday, March 1^st, 2016.

The crew of about 8-10 men stripped old shingles, laid new plywood, added top quality synthetic underlayment and finished with a layer of lifetime duration shingles onto the temple roof.

The new office wing roof.

Five beautiful Swiss Velux skylights were installed in the prasadam hallway.

Above, the roofing company stripped and replaced the metal panel roofing on the apartment building II.

The apartment building II roof is now complete.

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