Founded in 1968, the Hare Krishna community in West Virginia, USA, is strictly vegetarian and believes that meat consumption creates negative karma. Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited here. New Vrindavan is a religious colony with large green area, a lake, a golden palace, a modest temple, several colorful statues, swans, and peacocks. This place promotes a simple Krishna lifestyle, which includes farming and cow protection. Some, however, describe this place as “Spiritual Disneyland.”
In the Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra Temple, one can hear the chanting of the faithful. Based on the ISKCON organization principle, to which New Vrindavan belongs, both men and women can advance spiritually by chanting Hare Krishna. Meditative, extremely quick and loud repetition of a mantra can continue for a long time. The whole chant contains only 16 words written in four lines with eight syllables repeated over and over again, almost without end. Such a way of invoking the names of God Krishna and Rama, as believers believe, elevates the mind to a higher level of consciousness.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
The Palace of Gold, a residence that was intended for the community guru or leader, now serves as a major tourist attraction in New Vrindavan. After the death of the guru, an ornate palace of marble, gold, and carved teakwood was converted to the guru's memorial shrine.
Unfortunately, there is some controversy around the New Vrindavan community. In the 1990's, one of the main leaders was convicted based on the criminal charges. There were child abuse and brainwashing youth cases in court; there was time when New Vrindavan was even expelled from the Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON organization).
