Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA -70
















































Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA  





New Vrindaban (ISKCON (Hare Krishna), Moundsville, WV

Our Address
3759 McCrearys Ridge Road
Moundsville, WV 26041

New Vrindaban is an unincorporated town and ISKCON (Hare Krishna) intentional community located in Marshall County near Moundsville, West Virginia  The town consists of 1,204 acres (4.87 km2) (of which 0.1 km2 is of water),  and several building complexes, homes, apartment buildings, and businesses including the Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra Temple (RVC Temple) and the Palace of Gold. New Vrindaban was founded in 1968 by Kirtanananda Swami and Hayagriva Swami. New Vrindaban is named after the Indian city of Vrindavan. The religious organization, ISKCON New Mathura Vrindaban, was expelled from ISKCON in 1988,  but was readmitted 10 years later.

Unincorporated Town

According to the 2010 US Census, the 6 census blocks that make up New Vrindaban had a population of 352 and has the West Virginia status of unincorporated town. It is bordered on the north and northwest by Big Wheeling Creek, on the East by Stull's Run, and on the southwest by the village of Limestone. The town's water and sewage utilities are provided by the New Vrindaban Public Service District and following the Marshall County Commission's road naming project all streets in New Vrindaban have been fully named. In addition to ISKCON, the town is the location of McCreary Cemetery, resting place of West Virginia pioneer Lewis Wetzel, various locally owned business, and other ISKCON affiliated organizations. The chief economy in New Vrindaban are tourism, agriculture, and cottage industries.
The religious organization, ISKCON New Mathura Vrindaban, is the largest holder of land in New Vrindaban with 38% of the land in the town, agribusiness GEETA Inc. holds 14%, and all other organizations and individuals own 48% of the land encompassing New Vrindaban. In addition to the previously mentioned organizations, jewellery manufacturer Lone Ones Inc., organic commercial bakery World's Best Cookie, Vaishnava Performing Arts Inc., and Vedic Heritage Trust Inc. have facilities in New Vrindaban
History
The community was founded in 1968 by Kirtanananda Swami and Hayagriva Swami, two early disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.  New Vrindaban developed under the controversial guidance of Kirtanananda Swami (honored as "Srila Bhaktipada" after March 1979), and by the mid-1970s the live-in population had grown to over 100
ISKCON New Mathura Vrindaban is strictly vegetarian and believes that meat consumption creates negative karma. Alcoholic beverages and illegal substances (such as drugs) are prohibited in the main Holy sites around the Temple of Understanding Circle Drive.
According to ISKCON News, on 4 July 1983 Vedavyasa Priya Swami installed the statue of Sri Nathji at the RVC Temple.  Conversely, according to Gargarishi Das, the deity was not installed by Vedavyasa Priya, but was installed instead by Kirtanananda Swami.
In October, 1986, a census report showed 377 adults living at the community
On March 16, 1987, during their annual meeting at Mayapur, India, the ISKCON Governing Body Commission expelled Kirtanananda from the society for "moral and theological deviations."  The community of New Vrindaban was expelled from ISKCON a year later.


After Kirtanananda Swami left New Vrindaban, and new leadership stabilized, the community was readmitted to ISKCON.  The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported in 2006 the population stood at about 100.[5] However, this number only indicated how many people were members listed in the community directory rather than official census numbers.
Prabhupada's Palace of Gold


Originally intended in 1972 to be a residence for A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896–1977), the Founder/Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON),  the plans evolved after Prabhupada's death in November 1977 for an ornate palace of marble, gold and carved teakwood, which was dedicated as a memorial shrine on September 2, 1979. Kirtanananda Swami (the leader of the New Vrindaban Community) and Bhagavatananda das (the community's principal architect and sculptor) were the two primary forces behind its design and construction.
It reportedly cost $600,000 in materials, and the labor was donated by the devotees.  The unpaid workers were often untrained and learned on the job
Kirtanananda explained, "In the beginning, we didn't even know how to lay blocks. As our Krishna consciousness developed, our building skills developed, then our creativity developed, and the scope of the project developed."[
The Palace of Gold opened in 1979 to positive reviews.[17][18][19] CBS PM Magazine reported, "the magnificence of the Palace of Gold would be hard to exaggerate." Life magazine called the Palace "a place where tourists can come and be amazed."[20] The New York Times proclaimed "Welcome to Heaven." The Washington Post called the Palace "Almost Heaven."[18] The Courier-Journal of Louisville stated, "It's hard to believe that Prabhupada's Palace is in West Virginia. In fact, it's hard to believe it's on this planet."
Since the early 1990s lack of sufficient financial resources has caused palace maintenance to be neglected; nevertheless, 50,000 tourists and Hindu pilgrims reportedly still visit each year.[
As of mid-2011 an ambitious five-year, 4.27 million-dollar restoration effort has been underway to restore and renew the Palace.
Current activities
The community is overseen by a Board of Trustees of long-standing community members who oversee land and legal issues. Day-to-day management of the temple and lodge is overseen by a Management Team working with the different departments.
The Seven Purposes of International Society for Krishna Consciousness
To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.
With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.


Our Address
3759 McCrearys Ridge Road
Moundsville, WV 26041

From the West:
Follow 1-70 East towards Wheeling, West Virginia.
Take Exit 219 onto 1-470 East (just past St. Clairsville, OH).

On I-470, when you cross the bridge over the Ohio River you will be in West Virginia.

Take Exit 2 at Bethlehem, WV at the top of the hill about 2 miles after crossing the Ohio River.

Go right at the end of the exit ramp.  That road will curve to the left, still going up.  Get in the right lane.

Take a right onto Rte. 88 South at the very top, between a Nissan car dealership and a convenience store called Loading Zone.

Follow Rte. 88 South 8 miles until it dead-ends at a stop sign, the first stop sign you will come to.

Turn left on Rte. 250 South, towards Cameron.

Go 1.3 miles on Rte 250 until you pass Limestone General Store.

2/10's of a mile past Limestone General Store turn left on  McCreary's Ridge Road   This will be the first left.

Stay on the paved road with the double yellow center line.

Go 3.7 miles to the Palace of Gold.

Continue 3/10's of a mile past the Palace to get to the Radha Krishna temple and lodging facilities.

From the East:

Follow 1-70 West towards Wheeling, West Virginia.

Get on to I-470 West.

Take Exit 2 at Bethlehem, WV at the top of the hill after about 2 miles on I-470 West.

Go left at the end of the exit ramp.  That road will curve to the left, still going up.  Get in the right lane.

Take a right onto Rte. 88 South at the very top, between a Nissan car dealership and a convenience store called Loading Zone.

Follow Rte. 88 South 8 miles until it dead-ends at a stop sign, the first stop sign you will come to.

Turn left on Rte. 250 South, towards Cameron.

Go 1.3 miles on Rte 250 until you pass Limestone General Store.

2/10's of a mile past Limestone General Store turn left on  McCreary's Ridge Road. This will be the first left.

Stay on the paved road with the double yellow center line.

Go 3.7 miles to the Palace of Gold.

Continue 3/10's of a mile past the Palace to get to the Radha Krishna temple and lodging facilities.

From the South:
Go North depending on your starting point:

From Texas, Oklahoma, or Wichita KS: take I-35 North.
From Mississippi or Memphis TN: take I-55 North.

From Alabama or Nashville TN: take I-65 North.

From Florida, Atlanta GA, or Lexington KY: take I-75 North.
From Columbia SC or Charlotte NC: take I-77 North to I-70 East.
Follow 1-70 towards Wheeling, West Virginia.

Exit onto I-470.

Take Exit 2 at Bethlehem, WV at the top of the hill on I-470.

Go Right at the end of the exit ramp.  That road will curve to the left, still going up.  Get in the right lane.

Take a right onto Rte. 88 South at the very top, between a Nissan car dealership and a convenience store called Loading Zone.

Follow Rte. 88 South 8 miles until it dead-ends at a stop sign, the first stop sign you will come to.

Turn left on Rte. 250 South, towards Cameron.

Go 1.3 miles on Rte 250 until you pass Limestone General Store.

2/10's of a mile past Limestone General Store turn left on McCreary's Ridge Road. This will be the first left.

Stay on the paved road with the double yellow center line.

Go 3.7 miles to the Palace of Gold.

Continue 3/10's of a mile past the Palace to get to the Radha Krishna temple and lodging facilities.

From Moundsville:

You will need to get onto 1st street going east, towards the hill. 1st street is Rte. 250. 1st street does not go directly through to Rte. 2, aka Lafayette Avenue.

Coming into Moundsville from the north, you will already be on Rte. 250 which runs together with Rte 2. Just before the Welcome to Moundsville sign, turn left and follow the Rte. 250 South signs until you are on 1st street.

If you cross into Moundsville from Ohio on the 12th Street bridge, continue straight through the traffic light at Rte. 2/Lafayette and go a couple of blocks until you come to Jefferson Avenue and take a left.

If you come into Moundsville from the south, take a right on 12th street and go a couple of blocks until you come to Jefferson Avenue and take a left.

Follow Jefferson Avenue and take a right on 1st street.

Once on 1st street, follow Rte. 250 South 7.5 miles, turning left onto McCreary's Ridge Road. 2/10's of a mile after Limestone General Store.

Stay on the paved road with the double yellow center line.

Go 3.7 miles to the Palace of Gold.

Continue 3/10's of a mile to Radha Krishna temple and lodging.


From Pittsburgh:

Take I-79 South to I-70 West.

Follow 1-70 West towards Wheeling, West Virginia.
Get on to I-470 West.

Take Exit 2 at Bethlehem, WV at the top of the hill after about 2 miles on I-470 West.

Go left at the end of the exit ramp.  That road will curve to the left, still going up.  Get in the right lane.

Take a right onto Rte. 88 South at the very top, between a Nissan car dealership and a convenience store called Loading Zone.
Follow Rte. 88 South 8 miles until it dead-ends at a stop sign, the first stop sign you will come to.

Turn left on Rte. 250 South, towards Cameron.

Go 1.3 miles on Rte 250 until you pass Limestone General Store.

2/10's of a mile past Limestone General Store turn left on McCreary's Ridge Road. This will be the first left.

Stay on the paved road with the double yellow center line.

Go 3.7 miles to the Palace of Gold.

Continue 3/10's of a mile past the Palace to get to the Radha Krishna temple and lodging facilities.


By Madhava Smullen
Established in 1968 in West Virginia, New Vrindaban was ISKCON’s first rural  community.
Over the following years, the pioneer community made a series of  well-documented mistakes in its early attempts, going through some of ISKCON’s  darkest and most difficult times. Resources were affected, but most of all  people—many of whom left the community.
Still, a skeleton crew remained through the toughest times, working through the repercussions and doing their best to correct the errors of the past.
In more recent times, there has been renewed energy to rebuild New Vrindaban and to turn it into the exemplary self-sufficient, Krishna conscious community  that Srila Prabhupada envisioned.
New key personnel have been brought in to help with the transition, including  community president Jaya Krishna Das. Formerly the administrative director for  Bhaktivedanta College, Belgium, Jaya Krishna took up his new post in spring 2011  and has been working hard since to help New Vrindaban grow into a thriving,  attractive community.
During an annual board meeting on the weekend of April 20th and 21st, New Vrindaban devotees discussed some exciting developments in the first phase of  the community’s transition.
ISKCON Governing Body Commisioners Anuttama Das, Malati Dasi and Tamohara Das  joined board members from two non-profit organizations at the meeting—ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECOV, which focuses on the community’s self sufficiency  efforts.
“Everyone came in looking for ways to answer the question: how can we better  serve the devotees of New Vrindaban, and improve the overall community spirit?” says Chaitanya Mangala Das, a second generation devotee and member of both boards.
Answers fell into two categories. The first was improving the physical  environment, an effort that’s already in progress in a big way.
Early this year, for example, the residential quarters for devotees in the  Radha Vrindabanchandra temple building were completely renovated.
“The wood paneling that had been on the walls since the early 1980s was  removed, and the rooms were sheet-rocked,” says Chaitanya Mangala. “The  put in new windows, and fully furnished each room with basic living amenities  such as a bed, chair, and desk. The floor mats and sleeping bags of the past are  done away with, and it’s been made a more comfortable environment for  residents.”
Standard capacity for the residential quarters is fifty-four devotees, but  they can accommodate ninety-six at full capacity during festivals.
Meanwhile rooms at the community’s guest lodge are being completely  remodeled in time for the Festival of Inspiration on May 10th, 11th and 12th  this year. The old bunk-bed style lodgings of yesteryear are gone, to be replaced with queen beds and motel quality accommodations. Altogether the rooms will have a total capacity of 130 persons.
The New Vrindaban Welcome Center is receiving a full do-over to create a  warm, inviting atmosphere for guests.
In addition the community’s snack bar is being transformed into an elegant  Govinda’s Vegetarian Restaurant with sit-down menu service as well as a full  buffet. After a partial opening for the Festival of Inspiration, it will be  fully functioning by the end of May.
Restoration work is also beginning on Srila Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold,  which has been a major tourist attraction for New Vrindaban over many years but  had fallen into disrepair.
The full cost of all needed renovations falls somewhere between three and  five million dollars. While the community does not have these funds and is  discussing ways to raise them, devotees are already getting started on  renovations with the funds they do have.
Work has already begun on the stairs leading up to the Palace, and will  commence on the entrance walk-way in the summer.
“Then as more funds are raised, additional repairs will be ongoing for as  long as it takes,” says Chaitanya Mangala.
New Vrindaban is planning to tear down old and unsightly buildings.  During the meeting, board members took a walking tour of Bahulaban, where  devotees resided in the early years before moving to the current location in the  mid 1980s.
Bahulaban was essentially closed down after the move, and the three main  buildings there have not received any maintenance for two decades. One building  is salvageable, but the other two, a barn and an old guesthouse that was damaged  by fire in the 1990s, are not. Both are eyesores and visual reminders of darker and sadder days at New Vrindaban, and will be taken down.
Materials from them such as oak beams and concrete, however, will be recycled  into other projects. This is evocative of the “green” way in which New Vrindaban is approaching its renovations.
For instance, the guest lodge has been remodeled using low volatile organic  compound paint, energy saving CFL bulbs and non-toxic floor underlayment. And water-filling stations are being installed throughout the property, with reusable metal water bottles being made available to guests. Eventually, the community hopes to completely eliminate the use of plastic water bottles.
There are other self-sufficient initiatives, too. A team of devotees will  soon be producing cream, yogurt, butter, ghee and other milk products for the  Deities’ daily offerings using only milk from New Vrindaban cows.
And the garden crews are busy. They’re planting seedlings for the Deity Flower  Garden with a goal of providing all of the temple’s flower needs throughout the  2013 summer growing season.
They’re planting 100 fruit trees, 50 nut trees, 110 berries, 20 grape  vines and a variety of perennial vegetables. And they’re installing three green houses to expand agricultural production by starting the growing season earlier  in the spring and extending it later into autumn.
Meanwhile New Vrindaban’s unique festivals are exploding with popularity.  There’s the Festival of Inspiration, now in its thirteenth year; the 24 Hour  Kirtan, held every June; and the brand new Festival of Colors, which drew over  1,000 young, America students for its inaugural event last September.
“The long range goal is to eventually fill up every weekend from May through  September with a different festival that attracts different types of crowds,” says Chaitanya Mangala.
But with all these projects, the New Vrindaban board members are not  forgetting that people are the most important part of a community.
“In our meeting we discussed how to improve community spirit, so that the  devotees are feeling strong in their relationships with each other and inspired,  enthusiastic and supportive of one another,” Chaitanya Mangala says.
Ideas included taking lessons for success from other devotee communities,  developing devotee care, training leaders to become better servant leaders, and strengthening the relationships amongst devotees.
The latter includes developing an underlying assumption of goodwill amongst  the community members.
“Disagreements are going to come up no matter what,” says Chaitanya Mangala. “Prabhupada would say, ‘People who believe in Utopia are impersonalists.’ There  is no such thing as a perfect scenario in this world. There are always going to be challenges and disagreements. But the mindset in which you approach them can make all the difference in the world.”
At the end of the meetings, board members invited community residents for an afternoon in which they presented what they had discussed, then opened up  the floor for questions and concerns.
Overall, they’re feeling very positive that New Vrindaban can progress on  from its past into a very bright future.
“We’re blessed to be able to participate in manifesting Srila Prabhupada’s  grand vision of New Vrindaban,” Chaitanya Mangala says. “Along the way, we all fall short and fail at times to live up to all of the ideals. But as long as we  continue to participate and perservere, through that process we become stronger, and eventually we do succeed.”

Accommodations
The Palace Lodge offers comfortable accommodations in a spiritual atmosphere for groups of up to 350 people.  Consider the Guest Lodge for a short visit, or a weekend retreat in one of our private cabins. If you prefer to be even closer to the temple, there are also rooms available in the Temple Guest Wing.

The Palace Lodge offers accommodations year-round. From December-March, however, our guest accommodations are limited to the Temple Guest Wing and the Apartment Suite.

Please click the links below for more information:

  Apartment Suite, Temple Guest Rooms, Cabins, Guest Lodge

 






Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...)                                                                                                                              



(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )

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