New Vrindaban, West Virginia

New Vrindaban is an unincorporated area and an ISKCON (Hare Krishna) intentional community located in Marshall County, West Virginia near Moundsville. The town consists of 1,204 acres (4.87 km2) (of which 0.1 km² is of water), and several building complexes, homes, apartment buildings, and businesses including the Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra Temple (RVC Temple) and Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold. New Vrindaban was founded in 1968 under the direct guidance of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON. It is named for the Indian city of Vrindavan.

Temple History
How To Reach The Temple
Daily Poojas And Festivals
Videos

The community was founded in 1968 by Kirtanananda Swami and Hayagriva Swami, two early disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. New Vrindaban developed under the guidance of Kirtanananda Swami (honored as “Srila Bhaktipada” after March 1979), and by the mid-1970s the live-in population had grown to over 100. By the 1980s the population was more than 500.

ISKCON New Vrindaban is strictly vegetarian and believes that meat consumption creates negative karma. Alcoholic beverages and illegal substances (such as drugs) are prohibited in the main holy sites around the Temple of Understanding Circle Drive.

According to ISKCON News, on 4 July 1983 Vedavyasa Priya Swami installed the statue of Sri Nathji at the RVC Temple. Conversely, according to Gargarishi Das, the deity was not installed by Vedavyasa Priya, but was installed instead by Kirtanananda Swami.

In October, 1986, a census report showed 377 adults living at the community.
On March 16, 1987, during their annual meeting at Mayapur, India, the ISKCON Governing Body Commission expelled Kirtanananda from the society for “moral and theological deviations.” The community of New Vrindaban was expelled from ISKCON a year later.

After Kirtanananda Swami left New Vrindaban, and new leadership stabilized, the community was readmitted to ISKCON in 1998. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported in 2006 the population stood at about 100. However, this number only indicated how many people were members listed in the community directory rather than official census numbers.

From North, South, East and West:

• 1) Enter the following destination into your GPS: “Bethlehem, WV, United States”
• 2) Take West Virginia Exit 2 on I-470 (“Bethlehem”)
• 3) Drive 13 miles south on Route 88 and Route 250 till you reach Limestone, here take a left for McCrearys Ridge Road
• 4) Drive 4 miles to arrive at the Palace of Gold
• 5) Take a slight left after passing the Palace and drive another 1/4 mile for the Krishna Temple

Morning
5:00 AM Mangala Arati
5:25 AM Nrsingadev Prayers
5:30 AM Tulasi Arati
5:45 AM Japa (chanting Hare Krishna)
7:30 AM Sringar Arati
7:40 AM Guru Puja
8:00 AM Srimad Bhagavatam Class
9:00 AM Breakfast

Afternoon: Monday-Friday
12:30 PM Rajbhog Arati
1:00 PM Altars are closed until 4:30 PM
1:30 PM Lunch
4:30 PM Altars open

Afternoon: Saturday
12:30 PM Rajbhog Arati
(Altars stay open all day)
1:00 PM Discourse on Krishna Consciousness
1:30 PM Lunch

Afternoon: Sunday
1:00 PM Rajbhog Arati
(Altars stay open all day)
1:30 PM Discourse on Krishna Consciousness
2:00 PM Sunday Love Feast

Evening
4:30 PM Dhoop Arati
7:00 PM Gaura Arati
7:30 PM Discourse on Krishna Consciousness(Saturdays only)
8:30 PM Shayan Darshan