One of the places we visit whenever life overwhelms us here in US is the New Vrindaban Holy Dham. Located in beautiful and peaceful Appalachian mountain range in the rural West Virginia panhandle, in almost 500 acres, the place is serene and ideal for meditation and contemplation.
The main attraction for us is Radha Krishna temple, and then there is Palace of Gold – Sri Prabupada’s place. There are also small lakes, ponds, swans, peacocks and cows on the ground. To volunteer there is a cow-protection program, community organic vegetable garden and a fragrant rose garden. The temple also has decent cottages and rooms to rent, and they book up fast during summer times. Families with children and with old parents from India often come to this place to escape the everyday hustle and bustle. Though the drive to the place is like a thrill ride with sharp curves and 25 mph speed limit, the place is spectacular and spiritual. Even with all the difficulties of money shortage etc. for the temple, I am glad to see such a beautiful place existing in America for us to visit and to rejuvenate.
Here are some photos that I have taken during our recent trip to this temple as part of my bhakti~bhukti (divine and dine) series. Photos include temple and temple grounds along with Krishna prasadam (temple tradition – After the afternoon puja everyday, a full satvik meal is served in generous portions to the visitors, free of charge.)
New Vrindaban – Wheeling, West Virginia
Temple Entrance
Simha – Guarding the entrance
Temple Grounds
Appalachian Mountain Range
Permanent Residents of the Temple – Swan Couple with a Baby
Dancing Peacock
Temple Gift Shop
Serving Krishna Prasadam after the afternoon puja
Krishna Prasadam
Bajji, Spinach-Potato Curry, Chole, Lemon Rice, Coconut Chutney (Not shown in this photograph but they also served sambar, grape juice and payasam in small cups)
New Vrindaban – Homepage
Bhakti ~ Bhukti (Divine and Dine) – Sri Venkateswara Temple, Pittsburgh
wow Indiragaru , pictures chala beautiful ga unnay. I’m longing to visit this temple, now that I’m moving to Philadelphia from austin.
Also congratulations on being featured in The Hindu. It really prestigious to appear in such a newspaper.
Comment by sushama — August 6, 2006 @ 7:51 pm
Hey! you did it.My heartful congrats for the article in The Hindu paper. It’s amazing.I wish you’ll have even more succesful days ahead. Good luck.Beautiful pics.I know Wheeling temple is always the best choice for photography.
Comment by Bharghavi — August 6, 2006 @ 8:53 pm
If I guess correctly Vijaysree Venkataraman also writes under the pseudo name Tilotamma at http://tilotamma.blogspot.com/
Comment by Anonymous — August 6, 2006 @ 9:03 pm
Wow – what a lovely place! It does look friendly and relaxing.
Comment by catherine — August 6, 2006 @ 10:25 pm
Hi Indira,
Congrats for the well deserved appreciation in The Hindu.Beautiful photos too.
Comment by madhuli — August 6, 2006 @ 11:17 pm
Congratulations Indira, you totally deserve it !!!
Comment by Archana — August 6, 2006 @ 11:42 pm
Hi Indira,
your pictures are excellent. Here in Doha i am missing Temples and flowers.
Great thing is that The Hindu mentioned abt Mahanandi Temple.
thanks.
vijaya
Comment by Vijaya — August 7, 2006 @ 2:32 am
Beautiful pics Indira!Congratulations for the mention in the paper which you truly deserve!I came across another article through Vineela’s blog also published in the Hindu Business Line.Here to your site is mentioned.Check it out!
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2006/08/04/stories/2006080400020100.htm
Comment by Sumitha — August 7, 2006 @ 3:11 am
Hey Indira,
Congratulations.The place looks so beautiful and serene. Back home ISCKON was at a stones throw from my home. When i would visit I would just gaze and admire at the way the dress for Lord Krishna and RadhaRani were adorned Nice Pictures.
Shaila
Comment by Shayna — August 7, 2006 @ 4:13 am
I was deprived of the opportunity to comment on yesterday’s post in Mahanandi. But I think I can take the liberty to congratulate you. The Hindu is one of India’s best selling and most respected English-language newspapers, having a readership of over 3 million, both in India and abroad. It’s truly an honor and another feather in your crown. Congratulations Indira, you deserve it. Yours is a one-stop cooking website, with a wide range of recipes justifying your motto “cooking with Consciousnessâ€ÂÂ. Kudos and Keep it up!
Comment by Anuradha — August 7, 2006 @ 4:43 am
Thanks for your kind notes about “The Hindu” mention and about the Bhakti~Bhukti – Vridaban piece. I greatly appreciate it! Thank you!
Comment by Indira — August 7, 2006 @ 8:23 am
Congratulations Indira. You truly deserve it.
Excellent photos !
Comment by Krithika — August 7, 2006 @ 8:30 am
Congrats on a very deserving appreciation in a reputed media…
Comment by shynee nair — August 7, 2006 @ 8:41 am
Indira,
Congratulations! You truly deserve it.
Comment by Faffer — August 7, 2006 @ 10:36 am
Hi Indira,
Lovely Pictures andi! I am now longing to visit this temple!
My mom told me about the Hindu article. I have yet to read it, but truly you deserve all the glory! Your blog is a class apart!
Cheers
Latha
Comment by Latha — August 7, 2006 @ 11:31 am
very nice…actually you gave me a great idea…my grandparents are visiting me and i was wondering where to take them out on a day trip….this sounds a very good destination.
Comment by Supriya — August 7, 2006 @ 12:41 pm
Hi Indira,
This place looks very calm and beautiful. Many thanks for the informations. I would love to visit places like this. Did u get to see Peacock dance ? That looks awesome.
Congrats on the very well deserved recognision.
Comment by Madhu — August 8, 2006 @ 12:34 am
Hello indira, thanks for visiting my needlemagic website. Your photographs are really beautiful.I will definitely visit this place when i visit usa next year. I really like your blog and congratulations for being featured in the article in the Business line supplement .
Comment by indira reddy — August 10, 2006 @ 2:30 am
Wow..What a temple! Is this the largest temple?
500 acres? Wow… I have to surely make a visit!
Comment by InjiPennu — August 10, 2006 @ 11:39 am
hey indira,do you happen to remember at what time the Krishna Prasadam was?
Comment by Supriya — August 10, 2006 @ 4:49 pm
Why do they call the full meal as “prasadam”?
Prasadam should be a symbolic offering to god and distributed to the pilgrims.
In this case it is clearly a hearty Indian meal for those craving for the authentic stuff.
I see it in other temples in US also.
Comment by kumar — August 14, 2006 @ 3:14 pm
I love sree Krishna , the GOD, the suprem power of the universe. I am verymuch happy to see the pictures and people are taking KRISHNA PRASAD after puja.
Comment by sree Haridas roy — November 10, 2008 @ 4:20 am
I would like to request the owner of the website to kindly update the links to New Vrindaban website. Thanks
Comment by Shyam Pandey — March 26, 2009 @ 5:25 pm