| New Vrindaban | |
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| — Unincorporated Town — | |
| The Palace of Gold | |
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New Vrindaban
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Marshall |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km2) |
| • Land | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,175 ft (358 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 352 |
| • Density | 189.9/sq mi (73.3/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 26041 |
| Area code(s) | 304/689 |
| FIPS code | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1717344 [1] |
New Vrindaban is an unincorporated town and ISKCON (Hare Krishna) intentional community located in Marshall County near Moundsville, West Virginia.[2] The town consists of 1,204 acres (4.87 km2) (of which 0.1 km2 is of water),[3] and several building complexes, homes, apartment buildings, and businesses including the Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra Temple (RVC Temple) and the Palace of Gold. New Vrindaban was founded in 1968 by Kirtanananda Swami and Hayagriva Swami. New Vrindaban is named after the Indian city of Vrindavan. The religious organization, ISKCON New Mathura Vrindaban, was expelled from ISKCON in 1988,[4] but was readmitted 10 years later.[5]
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According to the 2010 US Census, the 6 census blocks that make up New Vrindaban had a population of 352 and has the West Virginia status of unincorporated town. It is bordered on the north and northwest by Big Wheeling Creek, on the East by Stull's Run, and on the southwest by the village of Limestone. The town's water and sewage utilities are provided by the New Vrindaban Public Service District and following the Marshall County Commission's road naming project all streets in New Vrindaban have been fully named. In addition to ISKCON, the town is the location of McCreary Cemetery, resting place of West Virginia pioneer Lewis Wetzel, various locally owned business, and other ISKCON affiliated organizations. The chief economy in New Vrindaban are tourism, agriculture, and cottage industries.
The religious organization, ISKCON New Mathura Vrindaban, is the largest holder of land in New Vrindaban with 38% of the land in the town, agribusiness GEETA Inc. holds 14%, and all other organizations and individuals own 48% of the land encompassing New Vrindaban. In addition to the previously mentioned organizations, jewelery manufacturer Lone Ones Inc., organic commercial bakery World's Best Cookie, Vaishnava Performing Arts Inc., and Vedic Heritage Trust Inc. have facilities in New Vrindaban.[6]
The community was founded in 1968 by Kirtanananda Swami and Hayagriva Swami, two early disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.[7] New Vrindaban developed under the controversial guidance of Kirtanananda Swami (honored as "Srila Bhaktipada" after March 1979), and by the mid-1970s the live-in population had grown to over 100.
ISKCON New Mathura Vrindaban is strictly vegetarian and believes that meat consumption creates negative karma. Alcoholic beverages and illegal substances (such as drugs) are prohibited in the main Holy sites around the Temple of Understanding Circle Drive.[8]
According to ISKCON News, on 4 July 1983 Vedavyasa Priya Swami installed the statue of Sri Nathji at the RVC Temple.[9] Conversely, according to Gargarishi Das, the deity was not installed by Vedavyasa Priya, but was installed instead by Kirtanananda Swami.[10]
In October, 1986, a census report showed 377 adults living at the community.[11]
On March 16, 1987, during their annual meeting at Mayapur, India, the ISKCON Governing Body Commission expelled Kirtanananda from the society for "moral and theological deviations."[12] The community of New Vrindaban was expelled from ISKCON a year later.[4]
After Kirtanananda Swami left New Vrindaban, and new leadership stabilized, the community was readmitted to ISKCON.[5] The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported in 2006 the population stood at about 100.[5] However, this number only indicated how many people were members listed in the community directory rather than official census numbers.
Originally intended in 1972 to be a residence for A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896–1977), the Founder/Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON),[13] the plans evolved after Prabhupada's death in November 1977 for an ornate palace of marble, gold and carved teakwood, which was dedicated as a memorial shrine on September 2, 1979. Kirtanananda Swami (the leader of the New Vrindaban Community) and Bhagavatananda das (the community's principal architect and sculptor) were the two primary forces behind its design and construction.
It reportedly cost $600,000 in materials, and the labor was donated by the devotees.[13][14] The unpaid workers were often untrained and learned on the job.[15]
Kirtanananda explained, "In the beginning, we didn't even know how to lay blocks. As our Krishna consciousness developed, our building skills developed, then our creativity developed, and the scope of the project developed."[16]
The Palace of Gold opened in 1979 to positive reviews.[17][18][19] CBS PM Magazine reported, "the magnificence of the Palace of Gold would be hard to exaggerate." Life magazine called the Palace "a place where tourists can come and be amazed."[20] The New York Times proclaimed "Welcome to Heaven."[17] The Washington Post called the Palace "Almost Heaven."[18] The Courier-Journal of Louisville stated, "It's hard to believe that Prabhupada's Palace is in West Virginia. In fact, it's hard to believe it's on this planet."[19]
Since the early 1990s lack of sufficient financial resources has caused palace maintenance to be neglected; nevertheless, 50,000 tourists and Hindu pilgrims reportedly still visit each year.[4]
As of mid 2011 an ambitious five-year, 4.27 million-dollar restoration effort has been underway to restore and renew the Palace.
The community is overseen by a Board of Trustees of long-standing community members who oversee land and legal issues. Day-to-day management of the temple and lodge is overseen by a Management Team working with the different departments.
All information is sourced to the following article unless stated otherwise
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