Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Today, we fall short in words – but not in inspiration. You envisioned spiritual farm commu-
nities where Kṛṣṇa is the center – where cows are protected for Kṛṣṇa, the land is cultivated for
Kṛṣṇa, festivals are celebrated with devotion, spiritual knowledge is shared, and bhakti is woven
into daily life. At GEV this vision is not just remembered but lived.
Your vision and desire are reemphasized and manifest through your dedicated disciple, His
Holiness Radhanath Swami Mahārāja, and we are fortunate to serve in fulfilling this desire under
his esteemed guidance.
A Day at GEV: Vrindavan Is Lived
Before dawn, devotees gather for maṅgala-ārati at the beautiful Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Vrindavanbihārī and
Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Madana-mohana temples. The deep call of conch shells breaks the silence of the
night. Voices rise, singing the saṁsāra dāvānala prayers, as mṛdaṅgas and karatālas carry the offer-
ing of devotion.
Then, the first darshan. The Deities stand resplendent, merciful, and effulgent. “If one
attends maṅgala-ārati at the temple, he is supposed to be transcendentally situated.” (Lecture on
Bhagavad-gītā 2.44, Paris, 1974) This is not merely the start of the day; it is the realignment of the
heart. It reminds us that life is meant for Kṛṣṇa’s service – everything else is secondary.
As the sun rises, Girirāja Govardhana stands smiling, watching over the sacred waters of
Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa. Devotees sit nearby, chanting on their beads, their fingers
moving in rhythm with the holy name.
By evening, as the sun sets behind the banks of the Yamuna, the temple hall fills with devo-
tees for the sandhyā-ārati. The flickering ghee lamps, ecstatic devotees, waves of kīrtana, and the
Deities bathed in golden light – all come together in an experience that is not different from Śrī
Vrindavan-dhāma.
A Place of Learning that Leads to Realization
You taught us that knowledge should lead to devotion. At GEV, this is happening. People from
all over the world arrive for the Yoga Teachers Training Course (YTTC), expecting to master
postures and breathwork, but what begins as a pursuit of wellness eventually leads to a shift in
consciousness. They come seeking asanas and leave yearning for āśraya, shelter at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus
feet. They enter as students of posture and breath and leave as seekers of transcendence. This is
your gift of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to them, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Not Just a Retreat – A Life Centered on Kṛṣṇa
GEV is not just a temple, retreat, or wellness center; it is a living demonstration of Kṛṣṇa’s culture
in action. Here, bhakti is not theory but is woven into daily life.
Visitors, villagers, and devotees come together to celebrate Vaiṣṇava festivals like Janmāṣṭamī
and Govardhan-pūjā – not as spectators, but as active participants in abhiśekas, yajñas, go-sevā,
and other devotional offerings. Prasādam is freely distributed, nourishing both body and soul.
Several people, including the local villagers, partake in festival feasts, darshans, guided Vrindavan
parikramās, and explore Kṛṣṇa’s līlās through the dioramas that dot the property. Cows graze
freely with their calves, reflecting Kṛṣṇa’s eternal pastime: lakṣa-vṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam (Śrī
Brahma-saṁhitā 5.29).
A Deep Cultural Impact: Bhakti Rooted in Rural Life
GEV is not just a temple but a way of life. It transforms the lives of rural villagers through both
material and spiritual empowerment:
• Employment in Kṛṣṇa’s service: villagers are engaged in goshala service, garland-making,
cleaning, cooking, and gardening, not just as work but as devotional offerings to Kṛṣṇa.
• A new generation growing up in bhakti: the children of villagers who once knew little about
Kṛṣṇa now grow up hearing His names, participating in festivals, and chanting the mahā-
mantra. They are learning that education is not just to develop a livelihood; it’s to learn
devotion.
• A shift in identity: first-time visitors are startled to be addressed as Prabhujī or Mātājī – a
reminder of the humility and respect that define Vaiṣṇava culture.
• Skill center: at the Govardhan Skill Centre rural women are trained in handicrafts, devo-
tional arts, and sustainable vocations, making them financially independent while keeping
them rooted in Vedic values.
• Village preaching and nāgara-saṅkīrtana: villagers receive the Bhagavad-gītā, mahā-prasādam,
and Kṛṣṇa consciousness through regular nāgara-saṅkīrtana and rural outreach.
• Attracting thoughtful seekers: The simple kurta-dhoti attire of GEV residents, combined
with scientifically advanced projects like the bio-water treatment plant, attracts people to
simplicity and deep thinking.
• Ayurveda for holistic well-being: The Ayurveda Centre provides authentic Vedic healing to
those seeking holistic treatments, bridging ancient wisdom with modern needs.
Your Mercy, Our Aspiration
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you did not just build temples, you built a way of life. You taught us that:
• Prosperity is not industrial; it is spiritual.
• Sustainability is not just ecological; it is devotional.
• Progress is not measured by material gain but by Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure.
The world searches for solutions, but you already gave them.
Your servants at ISKCON’s Govardhan Ecovillage

Translate »