Dear Maharaj’s and Prabhus, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This is an appeal for your help for Prabhupada’s Vrndavana Samadhi Project. This year, somehow the donation level has fallen below normal.
For the first time in 17 years, I had to break a small Fixed Deposit to put in the working account. More than that, we must re-seal the dome after 25 monsoons, to ensure no leaking or concomitant structural damage. Removing the grouting on all the dome tiles from top to bottom to maintain the waterproofing, then applying the clear silicon coating so the moisture cannot come through the marble, will cost at least Rs. 5 laks or $7500. This year, we found 3 leaks in the dome, which we sealed up immediately. It is urgent we begin the work without delay to protect the whole dome. Best would be if there were some forthcoming donations. But at this point, the work cannot wait. Prabhupada’s Samadhi needs extra funding on an ordinary basis, but this work is the first order. I need help to cover at least our present crisis now. Therefore I am requesting your help to find donors for this Samadhi work.
Though it is an urgent situation, I prefer not to dip into the Samadhi Maintenance Fund if I don’t have to. Thank you for your kind consideration.
Your servant,
Parvati devi dasi
From 1965 to 1977, Srila Prabhupada toured the world 14 times, establishing 108 ISKCON centers in 12 years. He continued to travel, preach, and translate Srimad Bhagavatam until he left this world on November 14, 1977, 7:25 pm at his home at the Krishna Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana. He was surrounded by loving disciples chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra of Deliverance, which he’d brought to every town and village on behalf of his spiritual master and Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
In front of his beloved Krishna Balarama Mandir, he sits in Samadhi, in a magnificent carved Rajasthani white marble Mandir constructed in his honor. Srila Prabhupada’s handsome merciful Deity sits larger than life on the altar. Huge bronze bas-reliefs of His Divine Grace’s lifetime activities and mission stand behind the altar on the marble parikrama wall backside; a ladies kirtan, front of the Deity.
Upstairs along the parikrama 8 beautiful dioramas of Srila Prabhupada represent the Samsara Prayers we sing in every temple around the world. A 39 Acarya Display is enshrined in the arches above the altar, with Hindi and English descriptions of the parampara on the walls facing the altar. All day, devotees conduct a very popular japa-chanting program for visitors.
Facing the Samadhi Mandir, connected by a carved marble bridge overhead, is an equally gorgeous white carved marble Samadhi Museum, meant for educational use and distribution of his transcendental literature.
Our 4 parampara Deities give their darshan to everyone coming upstairs in the Museum. A wonderful photo essay timeline describes Srila Prabhupada’s life, mood and success in spreading Lord Caitanya’s Mission in Hindi and English, with all of his 80 volumes of books displayed in all languages. That most prolific Changing Bodies Diorama at the far end summarizes the entire philosophy of sanatana dharma with Hindi and English explanations.
The large Deity of His Divine Grace on the Samadhi altar was made by his disciple, Jagannatha Krishna das from Texas, and the dioramas, parampara Deities, and brass-reliefs by his disciple, Bhaktisiddanta das. The Samadhi and Museum were designed by his disciple, Saurabipalayantam Swami.
Srila Prabhupada is sitting in his divine Samadhi to reciprocate with you in your direct service to him. Our debt to Srila Prabhupada can never be repaid for uplifting the world to Krishna consciousness. In gratitude for his compassion, let us fully cooperate together to maintain and protect his eternal Samadhi in Vrndavan to assure it will survive the onslaught of time and unpredictable variables. Dedicated devotees in Vrndavan are engaged in daily maintenance and upkeep of the building, exhibits, gardens and altar.
You are welcome to participate in the on-going Special Projects.
A partial list of Maintenance costs follows:
* Rs.1.5 laks per month for general maintenance, cleaning, gardening, painting, etc.
* Rs. .5 laks per year for up-grading Prabhupada’s altar and Vyasana
* Rs. .5 laks per year for up-grading exhibits.
* Rs. l lak per year for continual stone polishing of the marble inside the Samadhi
* Rs. 1.5 laks per year for continual stone polishing of the marble outside
* Rs.1 lak per year repairing damages caused by traffic, pollution, etc.
* Rs. .5 laks per year for maintaining Prabhupada’s Memorial arch
* Rs. 1.5 laks per year for repairing damages caused by age of the structure
The Samadhi Maintenance Fund Fixed Deposit ideally should reach Rs.2 crore in order to generate interest to cover ongoing maintenance expenses in the future.
***This service is eternal.***
Donations may be deposited at the Donation Room at the front of the temple. Please obtain a receipt for any donations given. If you prefer to donate by cheque or online, please note:
Rupee donations within India
SBI Samadhi A/c no. 10684301765
IFS code SBIN0002502
On-line donations
www.iskconvrindavan.com/donation
Instructions included
Cheques or On-line donations in foreign currency
ISKCON Foreign A/c #9100100-1456-52389
Swift code #AXISINBB086
IFSC code #UTIB0000794
From USA for tax exemption
Vedic Community Foundation,
kgd@vedic-cf.org
www.vedic-cf.org
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