From the island we drove to the BCC. I wasn’t expecting what I saw.  An amazing temple is being built at a cost of about $3 million. Some ten years ago the government gave us more than one acre of land in an area designated for religious purposes. Other religious groups such as the Buddhists, Tamils, Christians etc. were also given plots of land in the same area and so our neighbors are all temples and churches.

Our devotees have already constructed a four story building which serves as temple, asrama, guest house etc. It stands out from a distance.

But the last couple of years they have embarked on a major temple construction which is impressive to see.

HG Kalesha dasa, the temple president, took me on a tour. The multi-level edifice will have domes 160′ high, surrounded by a series of chatris. Because the construction is still going on the main domes are currently covered with palm leaf matting

Most of the roof top chatris are completed

The main temple hall has a large hole in the roof that will be covered with a glass dome and there is a mezzanine level surrounding its perimeter; there are two bridges that link the temple to the existing building

Also surrounding the temple room are ten alcoves which will house the ten avatars of Vishnu

We were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the eleventh  avatar, susupti murti

Next to our temple is a Tamil Murugan temple, and next to that, a Buddhist temple

On the other side some open government wetland is being utilized by our devotees to grow flowers and fruits, and that adjoins a bird sanctuary

All in all its an impressive effort which will greatly enhance our preaching presence there.

I stayed three days, speaking morning and night on the topic of Chanting and the audience were highly receptive

On the last night I also showed a powerpoint presentation on the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre in Kolkata, particularly focusing in on our efforts to record and preserve old manuscripts and rare works. Needless to say everyone was excited  to see the project.

HG Ekatma Madhava prabhu, who has stayed at our BRC guest house last December, was so enthused that he donated $2,500.00 towards the project. He is a disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami, who gave a donation of Rs. 1,00,000.00 when the BRC first started, so he took the lead and inspiration of his guru maharaja and followed suit. May the presiding Deities of the BCC, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai

bless him and his family for further advancement in the path back home back to Godhead!

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