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This letter is of concern for the Radha Madava Elephant’s new shelter, currently under construction.<\/p>\n
One of the main services these two special souls are present here at Sri Mayapur Dham is done during Radha Madava’s procession at the end of the year, also commonly known as the \u201cMayapur elephant procession\u201d.<\/p>\n
As you may know, it is one of the most attractive festivals of the year for us here at Sri Mayapur Chandradoya Mandir. As I heard it from Jananivas Prabhu, I understand that Bhavananda Prabhu once told Srila Prabhupada, that if He would ride the Elephant and Srila Prabhupada responded that actually Krishna should ride the elephant.So that is when Mayapur management were inspired to arrange this elephant procession for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha and Madava.It is also to signify the royal opulence of the supreme King, who sits upon His elephant. The devotees then gather there to assist their Lordships on a majestic stroll around the temple surroundings, enjoying the cool breeze. Along the way, many sumptuous foodstuffs are offered to the Lord.And Jananivas Prabhu also added that as the priest-representing the people, when the offering are being done he request the Lord to accept the devotees and their devotion.<\/p>\n
Every saturday, starting from Rasa Purnima in December, till Gaura Purnima in March, the festival goes on with great enthusiasm.<\/p>\n
Not to mention, that these elephants are also assisting in many other occasions such as Sri Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra and other important festivals.<\/p>\n
Hrimati Devi Dasi, who is directly responsible for the care of these special creatures, is building a new shelter for them and is requesting for devotees, if they can give some financial aid to support this project.<\/p>\n
Hrimati Devi Dasi says, in her own words,<\/p>\n
“…..but during this time of the year, at night time, it gets really cold and foggy and the elephants are sleeping out in the open. They are getting totally wet and are starting to shiver of cold.<\/p>\n
Generally we put them under the shelter during this time. But now they don\u2019t have any more shelter. The fact is, Elephants Are very poor in thermal adjustments or regulating their body temperature during cold winters. Hence, Radha Madhava\u2019s Elephants health is at stake. <\/p>\n
The bottom half of the structures is more or less paid for from different donations including her own expenditure invested as well.<\/p>\n
The remaining cost is specifically meant for the roof.”<\/p>\n
The proposed cost of the new roof is about 4000 square feet @ of \u20b9195 per square foot. This includes everything, as mentioned on the estimate sheet.<\/p>\n
So far she has received \u20b938,000 in donations for the roof. <\/p>\n
The total cost of the roof is an estimate of \u20b97,80,000. So, minus \u20b938,000, that leaves a remaining of \u20b97,42,000 for completion of the roof of the new Elephant Shelter. An additional amount of about \u20b91,00,000 is needed to fill in red soil to raise the floor of the shelter above the annual flood level.<\/p>\n
Dear devotees, if you like, kindly can you pledge to help complete this shelter for Radha Madava’s two elephants? This would be of great help.<\/p>\n
All donations for this project, should be specified as being for the elephants. For more information please contact Hrimati Dasi. Please inform and send the record of any donation given or pledged to mayapurelephants@gmail.com.<\/p>\n