Right to Left: Akhandadhi Das, Giridhari Das, Laura Domenech, Dharmavira Das, and Soumya Gupta.

In a significant step toward fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s original vision for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), the Exhibits Committee (EC) under the inspiration of Jayapataka Swami have named the museum to be housed in the the West Wing of the temple as “The Science Museum of the Vedic Planetarium” and teamed up with the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) for future exhibits.

Srila Prabhupada had clearly envisioned that within the TOVP, a science museum would showcase the Krishna consciousness worldview supported by philosophical and scientific reasoning. For over 15 years, the EC has been developing a narrative in line with this vision — one that explores the nature of consciousness, the soul, and the cosmos as directed by the Supreme Lord. “The museum is intended to explore the nature of our existence within this universe. It starts with the understanding that consciousness is not a product of matter or the brain. Rather, life is the accommodation of the conscious entity, the atma, within a body of different types,” said Akhandadhi Das, a member of the EC.

He continued, “We want to demonstrate that because consciousness exists prior to the formation of the universe, each of us are eternally existent and have contributed the aggregate of our aspirations for material enjoyment to the cosmic form, the Virat rupa, which ultimately is that which generates the form, structure, and development of the universe. So we’ve got a very interesting and scientifically verifiable concept for the museum.”

The committee had been progressing steadily, but by 2023, it became evident that there was something missing from the scientific corroboration and evidence that promote and support Krishna consciousness.

This realization had a significant impact, prompting the EC to reach out to the BIHS in September 2023. As a result, a dedicated team was formed, comprising devotee scientists specializing primarily in cosmology, along with additional support in physics, mathematics, biology, and neuroscience. This team undertook the task of developing the museum’s narrative, enriching it with fresh, engaging, and scientifically grounded content that aligned with the project’s spiritual vision.

This enhanced collaboration also highlighted the need for a new approach in the exhibit design. The previous firm working on the museum’s presentation was not able to fully align with the project’s vision. Akhandadhi Das said, “We felt that they had not really understood the purpose, the mission that we had, nor were they coming up with ideas that we thought really suitable for the museum. So we were obliged to conclude that contract.”

In 2024, the team launched a search for a new creative partner, eventually selecting Design Habit, a Delhi-based firm. Their hands-on engagement began with site visits and collaborative planning sessions in Mayapur and Delhi. “We were very impressed and excited by the way they have captured the concept and are bringing some very, very exciting ideas to how we can convey what may seem complex or high-level intellectual ideas in a very attractive, enjoyable, and digestible way,” remarked the Akhandadhi Das.

Design Habit and the EC content team are now set to work closely over the next 18 months to complete the detailed design for three scientific levels of the museum. These levels will explore the cosmos, consciousness, and the soul’s journey through a Vedic lens. The highlight of the Museum will be the stunning depiction of the spiritual realms—from Mahesh Dham to Goloka.

At the heart of this collaborative effort is the EC team itself, operating under the leadership of Jayapataka Swami, and supported by a group of eight core members, which include Hari Sauri Das, Dhrutakarma Das, Rameshwar Das, Ekanath Gaur Das, Radhapati Gopinath Das, Divya Govinda Das, and Akhandadhi Das. “My role as content director involves coordinating the vision and feedback of the EC with the content team and together we brief and guide the museum designers in their work. It is the most exciting and fulfilling service you could ever experience,” shared Akhandadhi Das.

From Right to Left, Top Row: Amardeep Behl, Akhandadhi Das, Shubinoy Banerjee, Harshal Ahuja Middle Row: Virajita Todi, Tamanna Jain, Laura Domenech, Giridhari Das, Ekanath Gaura Das Bottom Row: Rajiv Gautam, Soumya Gupta, Ashvini Vishwakarma, Dharmavira Das.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the collaboration between the EC and the BIHS is the growing international network of devotee scientists associated with the Institute. With strong connections across America, Europe, India, South America, and Australia, the BIHS has established a core scientific team comprising three to four permanent members, which includes Dharmavira Das, a PhD in cosmology and physics based in the United States, and Giridhari Das, a PhD in astronomy based in Europe. A recent addition to the team is Laura Domenech, a devotee who completed her master’s at the University of Zurich and is now working with the BIHS in Gainesville. Soumya Gupta, a PhD in biology based in Perth, Australia, is also expected to join the team soon. 

In addition to these members, numerous contributors support the project by reviewing materials for scientific and philosophical integrity. The EC also emphasized the crucial role of non-scientist devotees whose expertise in shastra, Sanskrit, epistemology, and philosophy helps ensure the overall soundness of the content.

The synergy between the EC, the BIHS scientists, and the new design team is bringing Srila Prabhupada’s vision to life — one that invites the world to rediscover science not as a materialist exercise, but as a tool for uncovering the deeper truths of consciousness, the soul, and our eternal relationship with Krishna.

Please visit the TOVP website for future developments in this important project. You can also follow TOVP on फेसबुक, Instagram, और यूट्यूब. To learn more about the many initiatives of the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies, you can visit their website यहाँ.