Demolitions in Sri Vrndavan Dhama

BY: SUN CONTRIBUTOR

Prabhupada Gate - Three trees have been chopped down on this side of the gate.
Middle front is the stump of one of them.

Apr 06, SRI VRNDAVAN DHAMA, INDIA (SUN) — The roadwork is at a standstill in Sri Vrndavan Dham. So far they have broken down walls and shops to make a start on the widening of the road. No one knows when they will come with their front end loaders next and continue with the demolitions.

The street that the Municipality is widening is named Bhaktivedanta Marg due to our Srila Prabhupada's fame and glory. The spiritual and economic growth of Vrndavan has been largely influenced by the presence of our ISKCON Temple here, which has only been made possible by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada.

Some of the Neem trees that line the Marg

The street is not only a feeder road for utilitarian purposes, it is also the most beautiful street in the Vrndavan/Mathura district. The huge beautiful trees that line its shoulders should not be chopped down at all and someone must speak for them.

There is also the question of the status of ‘Prabhupada Gate'. It adorns the entrance to the Dhama and is possibly destined to be demolished, as it too comes into the parameters of the widening of the road. All the large trees on the Temple side that used to stand around it have been chopped down. So if the Municipality keeps to its plans, then Prabhupada Gate will also be demolished.

If diplomacy and court action has failed then there needs to be mobilization of the general devotees to petition the Indian Government to make an allowance for our Temple. This is not only a local Temple issue, it behooves the entire ISKCON to take up this cause and make a stand against this sacrilege.

ISKCON devotees from around the world need to petition the Temple Management and GBC to make all effort to make sure that Srila Prabhupada's legacy is not disturbed or destroyed by this roadwork. The road can be made to accommodate not only the trees, but also our Temple.

This is happening now and unless we take action, then something that is precious to our heritage will be lost.