2021 marks the 125th Appearance Anniversary Year of ISKCON Founder/Acharya His Divine A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Ambarisa Das and the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) management in Mayapur, India, have decided to officially begin celebrating this occasion on Nityananda Trayodasi, February 25th (24th in the U.S.), and simultaneously launch major promotion for the PRABHUPADA IS COMING! Campaign announcing the installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP in October this year. 

In the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition Lord Nityananda Prabhu is considered to be the original spiritual master, being Lord Balaram Himself. The spiritual master is the representative of Lord Nityananda, and thus it follows that to glorify ISKCON Founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada and commence the observance of his 125th Appearance Anniversary Year on Nityananda Rama’s appearance day is most appropriate for the occasion.

The celebration will begin with the raising of a Victory Flag onto the TOVP and glorification of Srila Prabhupada by Jayapataka Swami, followed by other speeches and kirtan. Other festivities will continue throughout the day on the ISKCON Mayapur campus.

In conjunction with this event is the official launch of the PRABHUPADA IS COMING! Campaign promoting the grand installation of the new Prabhupada murti in October, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sponsor one of five abhishekas. Lokanath Swam is arranging to collect water from 125 sacred rivers for the abhisheka to honor the 125th Appearance Anniversary Year.

Every devotee in ISKCON is requested to participate in this most historic occasion and TOVP milestone by sponsoring at least one abhisheka according to their means. Even children can participate in this seva opportunity. The TOVP’s worldwide goal is to raise a combined Guru Dakshina of $1 million for Srila Prabhupada. Every devotee who participates will also have their name read to Srila Prabhupada.

Additionally, the magnificent gold-leafed, 500 page TOVP Book of Devotion, from the makers of the largest Bhagavad Gita in the world and inscribed with the names of over 6,000 TOVP donors, will be offered to Srila Prabhupada on this occasion.

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To have your name included in the TOVP Book of Devotion you must complete your pledge by the new deadline of Gaur Purnima, March 28.