By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
ISKCON New Mayapur temple, housed in a 100-year-old castle with an area of approximately 83 hectares, is receiving a much-needed restoration and renovation under the guidance of Temple President Locananda Das and Vice President Gandharvika Rai Devi Dasi.
One significant sustainability initiative at ISKCON New Mayapur is the implementation of a centralized heating system designed to operate on carbon-neutral principles. By utilizing fallen wood from the forest, the system minimizes environmental impact while efficiently reducing electricity consumption. Complementing this eco-conscious approach is a substantial rainwater catchment system, ensuring responsible water management within the castle’s premises.
Govinda Das, who is in charge of all the construction work, said, “One of the main projects that we have going on right now since 2016 is fixing the castle roof, which we’ve divided into eight parts and still have five parts to do. And that’s going to cost about between 250-300,000 euros.”
The temple’s original kitchen, anticipated to cost approximately 60,000 to 80,000 euros, is also being revived after being dormant for nearly three decades due to a dwindling community. The extensive renovation includes flooring, plumbing, electrical rewiring, and the incorporation of a stainless steel wall to align with contemporary standards of maintenance and efficiency. An automatic dishwashing system and an elevator will also be installed.
It has also been decided to expand the parking area to accommodate more vehicles. Govinda Das said, “Up to now, we’ve had a parking lot that can house about 30 cars, and we’re making it bigger to 1,200 square meters so that we can have about 60 to 80 cars parked. This is a project that’s going to cost about 25,000 euros, which covers not just the rental of the machines but also all the stones that we have to buy.”
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/extensive-renovations-and-expansions-underway-at-iskcon-new-mayapur/
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