Breaking News: Breaking Ground at Prabhupada’s Birthplace

Breaking Ground at Prabhupada's birthplace

Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace at Tollygunge, Kolkata has been acquired by ISKCON after many years of effort by Kolkata devotees, and was offered to him today, on his 125th appearance day.

The historic two-day inauguration event began streaming online at the ISKCON Kolkata Youtube channel from 3pm IST on August 31st. Broadcast directly from Prabhupada’s birthplace, the ceremony included kirtan, arati, Padpitha Puja at Srila Prabhupada’s birth time of 4pm, addresses from various ISKCON leaders, and prasadam distribution.

A 145-year-old jackfruit tree, under which Srila Prabhupada took birth, is still present, and was there to give witness.

Meanwhile on September 1st, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Sushri Mamata Banerjee, will inaugurate Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace virtually from Panagarh, where she will be joined by ISKCON Kolkata Temple Vice President Radharaman Das. There will also be offerings by sannyasis and Srila Prabhupada disciples.

The West Bengal Government is reportedly spending 9 lakhs (900,000) rupees to make arrangements for the two days of the inauguration ceremony.

On the evening of September 1st, at 4:30pm the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India will also issue a 125 rupee coin in honor of Srila Prabhupada, concluding a historic day.

Construction is currently underway on an 1,800 square-foot temple at the site of Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace. Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet are also being built with marble in Jaipur. In the future, the plan is to construct a magnificent replica of Srila Prabhupada’s Vrindavan Samadhi Mandir, with a life-sized murti. In addition, devotees wish to acquire the nearby land to secure a total land area of about two acres.