New Mayapura celebrates its 50th anniversary!

By Gopaswami Das ACBSP

A historic turn of events took place in France the day before Radhastami. For the first time since Srila Prabhupada inaugurated this beautiful community and installed his beloved Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama, both the ambassador of India at UNESCO and the town’s mayor glorified Srila Prabhupada, New Mayapura community, and Iskcon with astounding words of praise. A first in France after many years of internal and external struggle!

After a first-class lunch prasadam was served in the castle, the 20 invited personalities joined the devotees and the public for a ceremony in the garden, presided over by Nitai Gaurasundar Das, our longtime communication director. Locanananda Das and Gandharvika Raya Dasi, our selfless and hardworking temple presidents, greeted the guests and presented the recent renovations, as well as the increased interactions with the public. Gopaswami Das explained the past and present history of the community, from the long tradition of French interest in Indian philosophy to its modern presentation by Srila Prabhupada. He reminisced about the beginnings of New Mayapura with its stumbles and leaps, as it grew into the attractive community that it is today.

The different dignitaries, Indian and French, then spoke to the crowd with great respect and heartfelt appreciation for Srila Prabhupada and his followers. The mayor of the town recalled how he had met Srila Prabhupada as a young boy and how the devotees had been very kind to his mother even up until she left her body, when she was given a garland. The celebration was followed by a joyful harinam around the castle, led by HH Indradyumna Swami and HH Janananda Goswami from an oxcart. Everyone then took turns to plant a memorial tree, and 50 balloons were raised into the sky to launch an auspicious future for Srila Prabhupada’s New Mayapura.

The next day, for the first time, the local newspaper published a very positive article about our community. A real feat in France, the country of atheistic revolution! Param vijayate Sri Krishna sankirtanam!

We are ever grateful for the tireless efforts of HH Janananda Goswami and all the devotees, past and present, who have kept New Mayapur going for 50 years! And to all the devotees who will continue to nurture it for the next 10 000 years, by Srila Prabhupada’s grace and will!