What Makes up New Vrindaban?
Prabhupada's Palace of Gold
The palace of gold was created to honor Swami Prabhupada and the Hindu god Krishna. Its construction began in 1973 by dedicated devotees and was completed in 1979. It was meant to be a testament of the Hare Krishna faith and a place of grandeur in the western world. [13]
The palace of gold was created to honor Swami Prabhupada and the Hindu god Krishna. Its construction began in 1973 by dedicated devotees and was completed in 1979. It was meant to be a testament of the Hare Krishna faith and a place of grandeur in the western world. [13]
Image from: The official New Vrindaban website
This statue honors Swami Prabhupada the founder of the Hare Krishna movement in the western world (the statue itself is located in the Radha Temple; photographs are not allowed inside the Palace of Gold). He envisioned an entirely self-sufficient community at New Vrindaban, dedicate to peace, love, and devotion to Krishna. [14]
This statue honors Swami Prabhupada the founder of the Hare Krishna movement in the western world (the statue itself is located in the Radha Temple; photographs are not allowed inside the Palace of Gold). He envisioned an entirely self-sufficient community at New Vrindaban, dedicate to peace, love, and devotion to Krishna. [14]
Image by: Lee and Tracy
Goshala Cow Sanctuary
One of the principle foundations of the Hare Krishna faith is vegetarianism and respect for all life. New Vrindaban is home to the oldest cow sanctuary in America, established in 1969.
One of the principle foundations of the Hare Krishna faith is vegetarianism and respect for all life. New Vrindaban is home to the oldest cow sanctuary in America, established in 1969.
Image from: The official New Vrindaban website
The spiritual and cultural significance of the cow sanctuary are important to many devotees. It is believed that Krishna was a cowherd boy and will look fondly upon those who care for the cows. Additionally, cows are respected in the Hare Krishna faith and ethical treatment of them is an act of gratitude. It is believed that the female cow is like a maternal figure because she provides milk to nurture people. In turn the bulls are paternal figures because they work the land.
The spiritual and cultural significance of the cow sanctuary are important to many devotees. It is believed that Krishna was a cowherd boy and will look fondly upon those who care for the cows. Additionally, cows are respected in the Hare Krishna faith and ethical treatment of them is an act of gratitude. It is believed that the female cow is like a maternal figure because she provides milk to nurture people. In turn the bulls are paternal figures because they work the land.
Image from: The official New Vrindaban website
[15]
Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Temple
The Radha Temple was initially intended to be the first of seven temples at New Vrindaban; however, it was the only one to be completed. It is dedicated to the god Radha who is the female consort of Krishna and a divine figure in the Hare Krishna faith.
The Radha Temple was initially intended to be the first of seven temples at New Vrindaban; however, it was the only one to be completed. It is dedicated to the god Radha who is the female consort of Krishna and a divine figure in the Hare Krishna faith.
Image from: The official New Vrindaban website
The temple is open to anyone 365 days a year and prayer can be done individually or through guided worship.
The temple is open to anyone 365 days a year and prayer can be done individually or through guided worship.
Image from: The official New Vrindaban website
[16]
Peacock Walk
Peacocks roam the grounds of New Vrindaban freely. Including many albino peacocks.
Peacocks roam the grounds of New Vrindaban freely. Including many albino peacocks.
Image by: Lisa Neergaard
Peacocks are considered a symbolism of purity in India and the Hare Krishna faith. Krishna is typically depicted with a peacock feather in his hair or one by his side.
Peacocks are considered a symbolism of purity in India and the Hare Krishna faith. Krishna is typically depicted with a peacock feather in his hair or one by his side.
Image by: Lee and Tracy
In many eastern culture's peacocks are also seen as symbols of beauty, grace, integrity, nobility, immortality, and spirituality.
In many eastern culture's peacocks are also seen as symbols of beauty, grace, integrity, nobility, immortality, and spirituality.
Image by: Lisa Neergaard
[17]
The Gardens
The rose garden is located beside Prabhupada's Palace of Gold. The rose gardens are meant to provide beauty and a sense of peace and tranquility to New Vrindaban. Tranquility and peace are large tenants of the Hare Krishna faith. [18]
The rose garden is located beside Prabhupada's Palace of Gold. The rose gardens are meant to provide beauty and a sense of peace and tranquility to New Vrindaban. Tranquility and peace are large tenants of the Hare Krishna faith. [18]
Image from: The official New Vrindaban website
New Vrindaban also consists of a large green house dedicated to growing food for the community. Prabhupada envisioned that New Vrindaban would be entirely sustainable and self-sufficient. He wanted New Vrindaban to act as a model of sustainability for the rest of the world. Though it has not been fully achieved devotees are actively working towards this currently. [19]
New Vrindaban also consists of a large green house dedicated to growing food for the community. Prabhupada envisioned that New Vrindaban would be entirely sustainable and self-sufficient. He wanted New Vrindaban to act as a model of sustainability for the rest of the world. Though it has not been fully achieved devotees are actively working towards this currently. [19]
Image from: The official New Vrindaban website