[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]With the arrival of Bala Krsna prabhu from Saranagati Village in Western Canada on February 9th 2016, a group of international and local devotees undertook a two-week marathon tour to three rural projects, two in Maharashtra and one in Madhya Pradesh.
Also part of the tour are HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami, Minister for the ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India), Kisora Krsna prabhu, National Coordinator for the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign in Indonesia accompanied by Hari Kripa prabhu and Bhakta Narada, both from Indonesia as well and Kinkni prabhu from AP. Gour Gopal prabhu, IDVM-India National Director for Communications was to join the party in Madhya Pradesh but due to some car accident (he is safe by Krishna’s mercy) he could not attend but will be replaced by Hari Kirtan prabhu, IDVM-India National Coordinator for Rural Development.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]GOVARDAHAN ECO VILLAGE (GEV) (Under ISKCON Chowpatty Temple)[/fusion_title][fusion_text]After spending all day of February 10th and the early part of the next morning at Nilachal Dham (Talasari Farm Project under ISKCON Juhu), our small team of devotees travelled some 50 kilometers to the Govardhan Eco Village that is located approximately 108 Km from Mumbai.
We arrived at GEV a little after 10:30 am and were greeted very graciously by Ananta Raghava prabhu who was to be our Tour Guide during our stay till late afternoon. I had visited Govardhan Eco Village some 3 years back when the devotees had just finished building their first two story Guest House facility from the simple technology of rammed bricks (compressed earth blocks). Since that last visit I could immediately witness many wonderful developments with many similar rammed brick structures spread over the 80 acres domain at GEV.
We were first taken for darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Bihari at their exquisite marble temple that was officially opened in April of 2014. The temple dome has been uniquely designed depicting the entire 12 Cantos of the Srimad Bhagavatam carved as murals on the outer temple wall. The temple hall is circular in structure and allows for maximum open space both within the temple itself and without with its open sides that lets us connect with the natural environment that surrounds the temple compound.
After sharing various important features of the temple that is built to last some 800 years, Ananta Raghava prabhu then took all the devotees on a tour of the seven temples of Vrindavan, a complex replica spread over quite 4 acres of land not only showing the original seven main temples of Vrindavan but also the sacred Yamuna river and the twelve forests of Vrindavan, five being situated on the east side of the Yamuna, Balarama’s forests, and seven on the west side, Krishna’s forests. Also reproduced is Govardhan Hill with large stones that have a striking resemblance to those of Govardhan along with the sacred waters of Sri Radha Kunda and Sri Syama Kunda still under construction. The parikrama path is covered with crushed stones that give the feeling and appearance of desert white sand that reminds us of Vraja Dham.
We then visited the agriculture sector that is spread over some five acres acres of land. One of the main features is the large Organic Nursery covering over 6000 square feet where some 500 varieties of vegetables and plants are grown, some reaching phenomenal sizes due to the rich compost added to the soil and the drip irrigation system used. The Agriculture Department is headed by Sanat Kumar prabhu who was unfortunately not present due to prior engagements.
The devotees were then taken to the large Goshala that houses mostly Tharparkar breed of cows. The Goshala is designed in such a way that cows are always free to move around either within the inside portion of the Goshala or if they wish in the outer uncovered portion both being very spacious and clean. Visitors can mix very naturally and spontaneously with the cows and calves who are very peaceful and friendly.
There are many other features at Govardhan Eco Village, in particular the Yoga Retreat facility that provides on-going Yoga Camps and the Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha where some 20 students are taking an intensive 2 years course centered on a deep understanding of both the Srimad-Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrita. GEV also provides a series of Guest House facilities with attached bathrooms and spacious rooms.
Another feature of GEV is it Cultural Hall where various events are staged. There is also an important and essential component for any rural project and that is its sewage system. Some of the full time devotees having engineering background have been most innovative in this regard by building a sewage system that recycles all wastes. The facility and service have won awards from both the government and private sector.
Our visit was short and could not cover all the many other features the Govardhan Eco Village offers. Our guests from Canada and Indonesia, in particular Bala Krishna prabhu and Kisora Krsna prabhu, were very happy to visit the project and expressed interest to return and spend more time in their next visit.
The vision for Govardhan Eco Village comes from HH Radhanath Maharaja who, assisted by many devoted and surrendered devotees such as Gauranga prabhu, has made this dream manifest in a record time period of less than two years.
For more information on GEV please visit http://www.ecovillage.org.in[/fusion_text][fusion_text][flickr_set images_height=”200″ id=”72157664776185015″][/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text][/fusion_text][fusion_text]Reported by: HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami from Maharashtra, India[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]