307.09: ISKCON — other: The sacred birthplace of Bhaktivinoda Thakura
[Title] – Honoring the sacred birthplace of Bhaktivinoda Thakura — 2025
[Meeting] – Annual General Meeting
[Category] – Statement
[Date passed] – February 23, 2025
Whereas Birnagar is the birthplace of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and it holds significant historical and spiritual importance for devotees;
Whereas Srila Prabhupada expressed his deep desire to develop Birnagar to broadcast the glories of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the eminent Acarya of this Gaudiya Sampradaya, to the world;
Whereas Srila Prabhupada had a profound desire to honor Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura by developing his birthplace in Birnagar into a significant center for spiritual education and pilgrimage;
Whereas the Birnagar project is one of the most important projects for every Gaudiya Vaisnava, especially for our movement;
Whereas Srila Prabhupada requested the Bhaktivinoda Gosthi (the Managing Committee of the Birnagar Dvadasa Temple), Srila Lalita Prasada Thakura, to permit us to render this service. Unfortunately, however, he and the committee did not accept the proposal;
Whereas even after 52 years we have not been successful, as the Bhaktivinoda Gosthi still does not agree to our proposal for developing the Janma-sthana;
Whereas through the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust some renovations and construction work for the Birnagar Dvadasa Siva Mandir were carried out. The Birnagar Bhaktivinoda Gosthi is willing to accept the construction but is not ready to grant us any sevaiteship. If they do not provide sevaiteship, they will be unable to maintain a large temple on their property after its construction;
Whereas the Bhaktivinoda Gosthi is not ready to give us the land, either on lease or through any other arrangement as of now;
Whereas, as per the desire of Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON should establish a magnificent temple for Bhaktivinoda Thakura, along with a display of his life history, his writings, an educational center, parks and gardens, guesthouses, an asrama, and more;
Whereas ISKCON should purchase land in Birnagar next to Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s birthplace and develop a memorial and temple for the great Acarya Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura;
Whereas, since this is a big project, it should be directly supported and managed by ISKCON
Therefore, it is resolved that:
To fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desire and instruction to establish a temple at the birthplace of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the GBC will actively support the Birnagar Project Committee in this important initiative.
The plan includes developing a magnificent temple and other facilities envisioned by Srila Prabhupada near the birthplace on land free from lease restrictions. A 4.5-acre plot, located just 300 meters from the current temple, is available, and the committee is working on acquiring it. Simultaneously, the committee will continue efforts to negotiate with the management of the Birnagar Dvadasa Temple to secure sevaiteship of the existing birthplace temple.
The GBC empowers the committee to raise awareness within the devotee community about the spiritual significance of this project, inspiring devotees to actively participate in its service and contribute to its successful development.
Any fundraising efforts must be approved in advance in writing by local and regional ISKCON leadership.
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=115670
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