By Abhirama das
Last November ISKCON Turin, Italy, celebrated the grand opening of a new Temple very near the centre of the city.
In the previous months at the old center some neighbors were disturbing the programs in different ways, devotees could not have kirtans, and there were other obstacles that discouraged guests from visiting the old temple.
Eventually Temple President Prabhu Das suggested to the community to find another place in which they could properly glorify Sri Krishna loudly, without restrictions.
They then began to look for another place. A few short weeks later they found out that a nearby building, in which they had previously done some Food for Life programs, was now empty and that they were looking for somebody to rent it.
With the help of many devotees and congregational members they finally managed to rent it and subsequently decided to officially open it on the first Sunday of November.
The place was in a really bad condition and it was quite difficult to fix everything up in time for the opening.
Somehow or other though we received a lot of help and managed to get ready on time for the big day. For the opening, more than a hundred people came
(the old centre couldn’t host more than 40-50 people) and the special guest of the day was Madhusevita Das, who is the local GBC. He was very happy to see many enthusiastic people attending.
The ISKCON Turin community was overjoyed that finally, after two years of difficulties, they have a place in which they can chant loudly, hold functions and serve the congregation without restrictions!