By Janardan Jitendriya Das
17 December 2014
H.H.Panduranga Prabhu,
Editor, Bhagwad Darshan
Indian/English magazine
Mumbai
On Dec. 14th, a grand celebration was held in the premises of the ISKCON Jaipur Sri SriGiridhariDauji temple. The festival marked the opening of the Bhaktivedanta Bhawan, a fully mechanized kitchen, prasadam hall, library and teaching facility with 3 seminar Halls & two guest preaching offices.
The Bhaktivedanta Bhawan was made possible by the generosity of Mr. Suresh Kumar Podddar of Mayur Unicoters. Mr. Poddar was inspired by the opportunity to establish Krishna prasadam distribution and to support India’s culture via the library and classrooms, devoted to spreading the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami and vaisnava Acaryas.
The building is comprised of two floors. The upper floor includes seminar rooms, book library and e-library.
The library embraces literatures written by Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and previous acaryas in a variety of languages including English, Hindi, Oriya, Gujarati and Bengali etc.
Courses devoted to spiritual matters including Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhakti-sastra, Bhagavad Gita As It Is, etc. will be the main subjects in the facility. The Bhaktivedanta Bhawan is a most welcome addition as it allows programs, currently held throughout Jaipur and vicinity, to be concentrated in this state-of-the-art learning facility.
The bottom floor of the Bhaktivedanta Bhawan is dedicated to a modern fully-mechanized kitchen, prasadam hall and offices. The prasadam hall provides facility to feed 500 guests at one sitting.
The opening of the Bhaktivedanta Bhawan was a highly anticipated occasion drawing over two thousands of Jaipur’s finest. Upon completion of the ribbon-cutting, all were treated to a delicious seven course meal cooked and served by temple devotees.
The festivities are overseen by H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami, ISKCON’S Governing Body Commissioner for Rajasthan. In addition to the Maharaja, the head table was occupied by Shri Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, the Rajasthan Government Honorable Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Self-government. At his side was Shri Ram Charan Bohra, Loksabha member.Mr. Poddar, Mr. Jyoti Maheshwari, Chairman of the ISKCON Jaipur Steering Committee, Mr. Sanjay Saboo, Secretary of the ISKCON Jaipur Settering Committee and Pancaratna das, ISKCON Jaipur Temple President completed the podium. All gave memorable speeches regarding the importance of spiritual education and ISKCON’S pivotal role in uplifting mankind.
The duty of Master of Ceremonies was capably undertaken by Steering Committee member, Mr. Sanjay Maheshwari.
ISKCON Jaipur would like to thank all those attending with a special thanks to Gopal Krishna Maharaja and the above-mentioned dignitaries.
Certainly special thanks to Mr. Suresh Kumar Poddar is required with our appreciation of his vision and generosity to see this project through from beginning to end.
We would be remiss to not mention the members of the ISKCON Jaipur Steering Committee, whose vision, hard work and capable guidance developed the small spark of an idea to the completed Bhaktivedanta Bhawan.
May this building be a testimony to all of their selfless hard work and commitment
Thanking you
Yours in the service of Lord Krishna
Yours servant
Janardan Jitendriya Das (9351559168)
ISKCON Jaipur
P.R.O & Temple President Secretary
