The foundation stone has been laid for a historic new temple in Birnagar, the birthplace of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur!
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, born Kedarnath Datta, was a revered saint, scholar, and pioneer of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. A distinguished High Court judge in Jagannath Puri, he was also a deep devotee whose life was dedicated to reviving and spreading the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Among his many contributions, he was the first to present the profound philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism to the English-speaking world, thus planting the seeds of Krishna consciousness far beyond the borders of India.
He was the father of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, who later became the founder of the Gaudiya Math and the spiritual master of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.
Bhaktivinoda Thakur boldly envisioned a future where devotees from around the world—regardless of birth or background—would chant the holy names in unity. Srila Prabhupada took this vision to heart and fulfilled it by carrying the Sankirtan movement across continents, establishing Krishna consciousness in every major city of the world.
In deep connection to this legacy, Srila Prabhupada expressed a strong desire to see a beautiful temple rise at the very birthplace of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. He once said:
"I wish that a nice temple be constructed there [in Birnagar] and a well-equipped library and Bhaktivinoda Memorial Hall be established."
— Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Bhavananda, 14 August 1976
This dream is now beginning to manifest.
From the 12th to the 13th of April, thousands of devotees joined in a grand procession to Birnagar. On the 13th, a sacred Bhumi Puja ceremony was held to invoke auspiciousness and seek blessings for the successful completion of this cherished project.
By Krishna’s mercy and the blessings of our acharyas, a new temple will now be built—one that will glorify the life and teachings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and fulfill the heartfelt desire of Srila Prabhupada.
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Jaya Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur!
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
Source https://www.mayapur.com/en/blog/laying-the-cornerstone-a-divine-project-begins
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