Part of the large area of land which is being developed for the Abhay Tirtha project.
ISKCON Newtown temple project, also called the Abhay Tirtha project, aims to immortalize Srila Prabhupada’s legacy as the pre-eminent acharya of modern times. The project is an aspiration to fulfill his desire to build a huge community-based temple in his birthplace, Calcutta.
In his letter dated September 25, 1970, to Gargamuni Das, Srila Prabhupada emphasized his vision for a grand temple in Calcutta, writing, “We shall open a very gorgeous branch in Calcutta. Calcutta is my birthplace, so all of you, as my disciples, do something unique in Calcutta. That will be fitting service to your Spiritual Master.”
Since 2018, annual meetings have been convened to deliberate on expanding temple presence in Calcutta. Prior to the purchase of the land at Newtown, there was an idea to build a big temple at Gurusaday Road. In a recent interview with ISKCON News, Acharya Ratna Das, Chairman of the ISKCON Newtown Temple Council, shared how this project wants to make people aware of who Srila Prabhupada was and how he has contributed so much and helped all the devotees. He said, “Srila Prabhupada did not promote himself. He promoted Krishna. We want to make sure that everybody knows Srila Prabhupada and he becomes a household name.”
Presently, ISKCON Newtown has 25 acres of land with a modest Goshala and Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga temple. Acarya Ratna Das noted, “Our target is to launch Phase One of the project in 2025 on the 60th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s departure to America. We are planning to inaugurate Phase Two of the project in 2027 as an offering to Srila Prabhupada on his 50th Disappearance Anniversary celebrations.”
Plans are in motion to create a specialized audiovisual exhibition that will chronicle the life and teachings of Srila Prabhupada. The envisioned temple will serve as the heart of a miniature township, with Krishna as the focal point, incorporating facilities for the care of cows, children, women, and the elderly. Additionally, a university dedicated to the study of Krishna consciousness philosophy and a school for holistic education are being planned. A residential complex will also be constructed to accommodate devotees, including grihasthas, who wish to live near the temple and actively engage in devotional service.
Getting involved in this project is very significant as Acharya Ratna Das explained that the place where the Lord enacts His pastimes is called Sri Ksetra, and the place where great acaryas appear and perform their pastimes is known as Sripada Ksetra. He stated, “Scriptures reveal that performing devotional service in Sri Ksetra grants 1,000 times the spiritual benefit, whereas, in Sripada Ksetra, the benefit is amplified a million times. Thus, Calcutta, being Sripada Ksetra, offers unparalleled spiritual rewards to those who engage in devotional service there.”
Preparations are underway for the establishment of a Bhaktivedanta Hospital to cater to the medical needs of devotees, complemented by Ayurveda and Yoga centers. Dedicated facilities will be provided for guests, ensuring a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors. Additionally, a curated library featuring an extensive collection of literature in various languages will serve as a place of knowledge and inspiration, enriching the spiritual and intellectual lives of those who visit.
Among the many facets of Srila Prabhupada’s legacy, one of the most important is his disciples. In homage to this enduring legacy, ISKCON Newtown intends to establish a memorial of at least 108 of his esteemed disciples. “The visitors will be able to understand the glory of Srila Prabhupada and how the glorious legacy of Srila Prabhupada is carried forward by his disciples and grand disciples, thus helping one to understand the glories of Guru Parampara, disciplic succession,” concluded Acharya Ratna Das.
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