Presentation on ISKCON SIMHACHALAM, Germany, 2007 by H.G. Vedanta-krit Dasa 1
History of SIMHACHALAM 1979 Purchase of Property (17,000 square metre) Arrival of Sri Sri Radha Madan-Mohan 1982 Installation of Sri Sri Prahlad-Nrsimhadeva soon after purchase of 14 cows + 13 oxen 1996 Departure of Sri Sri Radha Madan-Mohan 1999 Installation of Utsava Deities Sri Sri Prahlad Lakshmi-Nrsimhadeva 2006 Installation of Bali Pitams (Mahajanas as Protectors of the eight Directions) 2
Situation Until 1996 Simhachalam famous all over Europe for its unique standards in puja and cooking Gaura Purnima, Nityananda Trayodasi, Janmastami, Radhastami, Govardhan Puja and Nrsimha Caturdasi - - all celebrated most gorgeously! Germany on top of book distribution 100-150 full-time devotees in Germany 3
1998-2003 The Dark Night of the German Yatra Harikesa Dasa s departure creating desaster spiritually emotionally financially 4
Situation Today Revival of devotees team spirit Sankirtan gradually increasing Simhachalam & Köln free of debts Great enthusiasm for agriculture, cow protection and ox power 5
Harvest 2006 400 pieces of cauliflower 2000 kg potatoes 200 kg Honey (from 12 bee hives) 60 glasses of preserved tomatoes 140 glasses of mixed jam (plums etc.) 250 kg pumpkin 150 kg cherries 70 kg deep-frozen fruits 45 kg deep-frozen vegetables 20 kg herbal salt 200 kg stem cabbage 60 kg green cabbage 80 kg tomatoes 100 glasses elder syrup From our herbal garden: basil, oregano, coriander, dill, thyme, sage, peppermint, rosemary, fenugreek, melissa, savory throughout the summer sufficient flowers for the altar/deity garlands 6
Harvest 2007 80 pieces cauliflower 60 pieces celery 150 pieces endive salad 150 pieces chinese cabbage 20 kg beans 30 pieces artichokes 60 pieces zucchini 30 kg broccoli 800 pieces of beetroots 120 cucumbers 2000 kg potatoes 20 kg carrots 2 kg sweet peas 4 kg rhubarb 100 pieces/week nasturtium 80 pieces paprica (our seeds) 5 kg chili (our seeds) 250 kg Honey (12 bee hives) 10 kg strawberries 3 kg raspberries 60 glasses preserv. tomatoes 140 glasses of mixed jam 300 pieces of pumpkin 150 kg cherries 70 kg deep-frozen fruits 45 kg deep-frozen vegetables 20 kg herbal salt 200 kg stem cabbage 10 kg green cabbage 20 kg brussels sprouts 30 pieces savoy cabbage 80 pieces red cabbage 350 pieces white cabbage 200 kg tomatoes (our seeds) 100 glasses elder syrup 12 kg basil (our seeds) Amaranth, quinoa, quince 150 kg plums 60 pieces sweet corn 12 different kinds of potatoes! 7
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I have visited many places of pilgrimage worldwide, and I am dividing them into two categories: 1.) those that are made by God, like e.g. Gangotri, and 2.) those that are made by man. I consider Simhachalam to be made by God. Lord Nrsimhadeva definitely wants to be here. - H.H. Sacinandana Swami (Room conversation at Simhachalam, May 2007) 9
As a sannyasi I cannot say that my life is short of travel, nor of festivals. Therefore I have participated in so many abhisekas, bathing ceremonies of the Deity, all over the world that includes India, where I have lived for many years. However, nowhere in the world have I seen abhisekas like in Germany, with so much opulence, executed with so much precision, accompanied by brahmanas who really know their Nrsimha-mantras. - H.H. Kadamba Kanana Swami (Online diary, May 2007) 10
Future Plans The German yatra shall rise again like a phoenix from the ashes to the top! ( a big tide carries many ships... ) - H.G. Syamasundara Dasa European Minister for Cow protection 11
I am certainly interested in establishing branches of the Mayapur Academy all over the world. New Simhachalam would certainly be a candidate. - Nrsimha Kavaca Dasa ISKCON Deity Worship Minister 12
European Divya Desham Designate 8 or eventually 16 Divya Deshams in Europe that would all appear together in brochures, perhaps a website, etc., and which as a group would encourage people (especially Indians in Europe) to make it a point to gradually visit each desham, just as many make it a point to visit as many as possible of the 108 temples in India. - H.G. Krsna Ksetra Dasa 13
The prime focus of the German Yatra is book distribution! - H.G. Dina Sharana Devi Dasi ISKCON EURO GBC Germany Austria 14
Cow Protection Recommendation: That the national management of Germany coupled with concerted support from the GBC help the farm very practically by helping raise 85 to 130 monthly donors for the cow Protection project. If this is done the cow protection project at Simhachalam will be turned around into the thriving model and European Cow protection and farming leader it once was. Simhachalam report, June 2007 - H.G. Syamasundara Dasa European Cow Protection Minister 15
European Coaching Center Germany is the center of Europe - Akrura Dasa European Coach Minister 16
Why Focus on Simhachalam? Simhachalam is the one and only Narasimha Temple in all of Europe Germany is the geographical centre of the European Union (evidence: Institut Géographique National, France) The German Yatra already had been ISKCON s driving force within Europe (sankirtan, festivals, puja...) Naimisaranya-effect: whatever you establish in Germany will have a solid impact on the whole of Europe Modes of nature of Germany (organization, perfection... --> discussion with H.H. Devamrita Swami) 17
European Divya Desham International Society for Krishna Consciousness Founder Acarya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada European Coaching Ministry SIMHACHALAM European Sankirtan Ministry European Deity Worship Ministry European Cow Protection Ministry 18
The Ultimate Source of Spiritual Power 19