DANDA BHANGA

"To be here constantly, in your heart.."

John Richardson made a journey in February 1999 to Orissa, India and took with him funds of £12,000 raised from the amazing Walthamstow concert. He went there to help create a facility for all the devotees of the world to savour and share its unique and devotionally charged atmosphere. This place is Danda Bhanga. His Divine Grace Haridas Sen Babaji Maharaja, a direct descendant of Sriman Mahaprabhu's eternal associate Sivananda Sen has given a small piece of land (5 acres) to the ISKCON project. His Divine Grace hopes that ISKCON will develop this land into a spiritual oasis. He assures that Krsna Prema can be achieved one million times more easily than anywhere in the universe. His Divine Grace who is 87 years old is totally dedicated to seeing Danda Bhanga come to its rightful prominence.

An old book that is said to be 1100 years old predicts that in 1996 the land would be recognised for what it is and developed as this spiritual oasis and bringing with it the renaissance of the Golden Age of Mahaprabhu. It was indeed in 1996 that His Holiness Sivarama Swami, who knew nothing of this prediction, instructed that the site be purchased in ISKCON's name.

All construction has been and will be carried out environmentally, so as not to interfere with the islands serenity and beauty. Over 150 trees and plants have been collected to bring about a relaxing and invigorating effect on mind, body and spirit. There will be nine kunjas constructed and hosts of exotic flowers and shrubs. A vow has been made to His Divine Grace that no harm will come to any of the many existing ancient trees on the site during any construction. The overall environment would put one in transcendental mind of Vrndavana.

There will also be 24 hour recitation of Maha Mantra, twice daily sacrifice on Sri Gayatri Mantra. There will be a purpose built hall for classes on Srimad Bhagavatan, Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Sri Caitanya Caritamrta.

On the far eastern side there is planned a Goshalla and Food for Life facility which will be run to a high standard of efficiency and effectiveness. His Grace Sacinandanda prabhu, a leading disciple of His Divine Grace the Late Gour Govinda Swami is taking care of negotiations of land purchase and will also oversee the sites development. ISKCON has been instructed by His Holiness Srila Sivarama Maharaja to be directly responsible for fund raising. There is hope that £250,000 will be raised so that the development of this spiritual place can continue.

I would like to give my thanks, love and appreciation to Jayadeva das (John Richardson)
for allowing me to share with you this truly amazing achievement.

If you wish to learn more or would like to help raise money for this worthwhile cause, please e-mail me and I will send
details onto John Richardson.

Hare Krishna