The construction of Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (ToVP) has steadily progressed over the last couple of years. This is in large part due to the support of many devotees and donors from temples around the world.

The Art Department has especially been actively expanding over the recent months. The images from the drawings are coming to life as sculptors and masons shape their masterpieces on the temple site. The most exciting endeavor has been the recent development of one of the elephants at the main entrance to the temple.

There will be two elephants which will serve as decorative ornamentation, each built around a pillar. The sculptures will be six meters high and will conceal the supporting pillar structure. This first prototype will serve as a visual aid so the artists can modify the design if needed. The towering figure was first shaped by straw then covered by plaster of Paris to show more detail. Once the plaster is completed, the art team will judge the creation and make any necessary refinements. Though this is quite a laborious process, the elephant will be dismantled once the artists are satisfied with the final template.

Building models is a crucial aspect in the progress of many of the TOVP’s special features. It allows the artists to see how the dimensions from the drawings translate into tangible forms. To help with this process, a clay elephant was sculpted by Drdha Vrata Das so the sculptors on site would also have a visual to work from. Changes to the clay elephant have also been made throughout the creative process since the team could see which elements worked and which details needed to be adjusted.

A short distance from the elephant sculpture, another pillar is being intricately disguised. This pillar is being ornately molded by bricks a mason chisels into the desired shape. His fluid movements are amazing to watch as he artfully models each brick to fit cohesively with the others.

As the art work progresses and ToVP’s the super-structure and domes continue to rise and plans for the finishing work begins to crystallize, the ToVP Team would like to invite all followers and well wishers of Srila Prabhupupada, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Radha Madhava to join the TOVP community by donating toward a part of the new temple for the price of INR 7000 / $150 / 101 GBP per square foot.

The funds collected will be used to carry forward the development of this landmark project and dear most desire of Srila Prabhupada.

To learn more about the ToVP’s “One Square Foot” campaign please watch the video below, or visit www.tovp.org.