Diwali and the TOVP
The Festival of Diwali, lights, has become India’s largest and most important annual holiday and is celebrated by over 1 billion people, mainly of the Hindu religion, and can last up to five days depending on the celebrants. It is observed by the lighting of dipas or lights usually made of ghee wicks, placed in various locations to invoke auspiciousness, as well as through giving in charity and other methods.
However, like many celebrations nowadays, the spiritual significance is often lost and the focus placed on mundane benefits and blessings alone. In fact, the real significance of Diwali is a spiritual one, and relates to the pastimes of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. In northern India, they celebrate Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps. Southern India celebrates it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.
However, aside from the lilas of the Lord themselves, the deep meaning of those lilas celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Nothing could be a more significant purpose than that, especially for devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the most munificent incarnation of Lord Krishna Who appeared in Sridhama Mayapur a little over 500 years ago to freely distribute love of Krishna, Krishna prema.
The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), ISKCON’s crest jewel project, is the full manifestation of this purpose of manifesting light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. And not only for a few days a year but 365 days a year, 24 hours a day! This Future Wonder of the World will display the full-blown knowledge of Vedic wisdom to the world, particularly the science of bhakti yoga or Krishna consciousness. From this single temple the glories of devotional service and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will spread rapidly throughout the world on a massive scale previously unknown.
We humbly request all devotees to take advantage of this occasion during the auspicious month of Kartik, when spiritual activities have increased potency, to support the completion of the TOVP construction so the temple can open timely in 2024. Our newest fundraising campaign started the beginning of September with the release of the India Govt. minted Prabhupada 125th Anniversary Year coin. We are just reminding devotees that they can get one of these rare coins from the TOVP, which will remain as an heirloom in their family for generations to come.
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