Foundation stone laying ceremony of ISKCON Sri Gundicha Temple
On the 24th March 2010, the most auspicious appearance day of Bhagaban Sri Ram on the mundane plane the sanctified corner stone of Sri Gundicha Temple of ISKCON Bhubaneswar was laid by H.D.G. Bhakti Charu Swami, Guru & G.B.C. of ISKCON, Bhubaneswar Odisha in a colorful ceremonial function to mark the beginning of the construction work of the Temple. In the morning 7A.M. to 8A.M. Sankirtan Nam Yajnya and from 8A.M. to 9A.M. Baishnab Homa were performed. Simultaneously the pendal programme was also going on H.D.G. Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj, H.G. Bhaktarupa Das, H.G. Madhabananda Das, H.G. Murali Krishna Das, Dr. R.N. Ray, an eminent scientist associated with ISKCON. Dr. Prasanna Patasani, M.P., BBSR, Sjt. Bhagirathi Badajena, M.L.A. BBSR, Sjt. Bijay Kumar Mohanty, M.L.A. BBSR, Mr. Atanu Sabyasachi, Energy Minister of state, Dr. Sarat Ch. Mishra, Editor, The Samaj the first and the oldest News paper of the state, Mrs. Sangha Mitra Samal, the local corporator of B.M.C. were on the dias.
H.D.G. Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj discussed how Lord Jagannath along with His brother & sister came to Srila Prabhupad of His own accord in toy form in Sanfrancisco and how Srila Prabhupad started the first Ratha Yatra the famous Car Festival of Lord Jagannath there. In course of time Car Festival spread to other places of western countries and gained popularity
When Srila Prabhupad was in Sanfrancisco Malati Devi Dasi his disciple brought Lord Jagannath’s toy form from the market & showed to Srila Prabhupad who asked her to being the rest of the Toys form the market. Srila Prabhupad told Shyam Sundar the husband of Malati Devi Dasi to make three Bigrahas in bigger size in wood and introduced worship of Sri Jagannath, Baladev & Subhadra Devi in ISKCON Sanfrancisco. Later on Srila Prabhupad started first Ratha Yatra (Car Festival) there using a decorated truck as chariot.
Dr. P.K. Patasani, M.P. told that he has visited almost all the ISKCON centres in the western countries and saw Ratha Yatra there. He praised Srila Prabhupad for prevailing upon the young boys and girls to give up meat eating & drinking wine, embrace Baishnabism and spreading Sri Jagannath cult almost all over the world.
H.G. Madhabananda Das gave a brief account of Sriman Chaitanya Mahaprabhu lila at Puri during the car festival. All other guests present on the dias appreciated ISKCON’s endeavour to hold Ratha Yatra & other festivals of the year in ISKCON Temple where quite a large number of people are gathering and enjoying. Those having spiritual bent of mind are also joining ISKCON.
H.G. Murali Krishna Das gave a brief description of his experience with Jagannath deity starting from his first joining ISKCON center up to the Bhubaneswar temple. He had also come with some Russian devotees. They all appreciated the program very well.
Ratha Yatra (Car Festival) once in a year is an integral part of Jagannath worship and for Ratha Yatra which spread over a period of nine days Sri Gundicha Temple is essential to house the Lords there for nine days.
The preliminary estimate of the project comes to Rupees one crore. So let us take a vow to contribute our mite in cash or in kind to complete the long pending pious project of ISKCON within a year time and get the blessings of their Lordships.
Jay Jagannath
editor@iskconnews.com
Temple President,
His Grace Dhruba Maharaj Das is researching this project.
Mobile: 9937131211.
