Bhaktivedant Manor-Abode of the Gods

Bhaktivedant Manor-Abode of the Gods

An e-mail alert informed about the birth celebrations of Lord Ram by the Bhaktivedant Manor in Watford near London. This evoked memory of an evening in England at the Oxford street where we awaited, in the midst of a crowd, for the joyful procession of Iskcon. One survey indicates that amongst the iconic symbols of London, the Iskcon devotees were voted third after the Red Double Decker Bus and Black Taxi!

Soon the chants of Hare Rama Hare Krishna resonated in the air that drew the attention of hundreds of on-lookers. The sounds of cymbals, saffron robes and shaven heads create a vibrant atmosphere at the Oxford Street. Day after day, people enthusiastically anticipate the mixed procession of Westerners & Indians presenting musical spirituality with songs & rhythmic dancing. It is a welcome and remarkable component of London’s multicultural backdrop.

The divine procession

The euphoria created is seen to be believed as the divine procession passes the streets lined with restaurants and night clubs towards the famous tourist spot – the Leicester-square. Iskcon name is well- known amongst shoppers, tourists and business men. Today, this movement has caught the attention of millions across the globe whether they are atheists or believers and its popularity is widespread in all continents.

Bhaktivedant Manor:

That evening spent at the Oxford Street led us to the Bhaktivedant Manor which is the earliest and principal temple amongst the 10,000 temples of Iskcon, worldwide. Set in the serene beautiful English countryside of Hertfordshire, it is the main headquarter of Hare Rama Hare Krishna movement. The Bhaktivedant Manor houses a temple dedicated to Lord Rama & Lord Krishna. As I drove upto Watford I thought about Beatle George Harrison who experienced a mesmeric awakening when he visited Rishikesh India which led to the pursuit of spirituality for the rest of his life. He not only joined the Iskcon but also donated this Manor to them for the times to come. For years the Bhaktivedant Manor and the famous Beatle George Harrison have been talked and written about.

The Darshan

In this Tudor Manor the Divine reside encircled in tranquility and foliage. Inside the main door peace prevails enhanced by the fragrance of sandal & flowers. Devotees & tourists of various nationalities and colors greet the eye. The brown & white skins; the blue, green, black & brown eyes; all seek the same Power. At the end of the hall the exotic shrine is set within delicately carved gold arches. The Deities Lord Ram, Devi Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman on one side along with the Deities Shri Krishna and Radha next to them are resplendent in their clothing and it takes four hours to dress them! The musical chanting of the Mantra vibrates the air; an unforgettable experience .

Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare ,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

The Upper Floor

Srila Prabhupadji’s Shayan Kaksh

We completed our spiritual experience by visiting the Upper floor of the Manor that comprised the bedroom of Srila Prabhupaad where the furniture shone as if used every day. Looking at his photograph laid on his bed my thoughts turned to his progressive vision with which he toured 6 continents spreading the Ram-Krishna Bhakti movement and conferred Iskcon its universal image from America and England to the European and Asian continents. He translated and commented on over 80 volumes of Vedas.

Outside the temple

Outside the temple we strolled in the landscaped gardens with fountains and came across ducks from the lake; a part of the Bhaktivedant Manorcomplex . Then there are small shops selling ‘distinguished’ array of idols, books, sweets and snacks.

The Tulsi room

Glasshouse TulsiKaksh

The Complex also holds a Tulsi room inside a large Glass-house filled with rows upon rows of thick green Tulsi plants that grow well inside the Glass-house protected from the cold English weather. The Tulsi has manifold uses and is offered to the Deities as well. As we neared the Tulsi room the melodious soothing music of flute floated through the air which is reminiscent of Tulsi’s eternal devotional love for flute-player Lord Krishna.

The Goshala

New Gokul- Goshala

The Bhaktivedant Complex additionally has a huge Goshala for cows & bulls. With the whooping cost of £2.54 million another shelter – New Gokul has been added. These attractive series of buildings were constructed using eco-friendly materials. The Goshala is a sanctuary that provides milk with its products and has an Ox- power house with permanent treadmill & machinery too.

The Historical Milieu

We discovered that the Temple-Manor has an engrossing historical background that goes back to the 12^thcentury when its oldest records state that this estate belonged to Lord Picot and later a Tudor home was built here in the 16^thcentury.

Further it was purchased by a George Villis who demolished the old home to re-build a mock Tudor home in 1884 – as we see it today. It continued to be called “Piggots Manor”, the name derived from its original owners-Picots. Later it was converted into a Nurses Training College which when put on sale, was bought by Beatle George Harrison and donated to his Guru Srila Prabhupaad . Iskcon is the world wide extension of the 16^thcentury Bhakti movement by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who followed the timeless Lord Krishna.

 Iskcon and Beatle George Harrison

One and all were affected by the Beatle Mania whose music created a rage in the hearts of millions across the globe. Ironically their own hearts were filled with uneasy noise generated by fame and fortune. This was perhaps the reason for the spiritual trip to Rishikesh India in 1967. Mystic India aroused the music of peace and happiness and when the Beatles returned to England they often remembered the divine journey to India.

Just two years later Srila Prabhupaad‘s disciples Sham Sunder Das & Mukund Das went to London to establish a temple and met Beatle George Harrison at the Apple Records function. George’s relationship with them developed and was further cemented when Srila Prabhupaad himself came to Britain. While George’s interest in Krishna consciousness continued he created the Radha Krishna Record album and wrote many Krishna songs. The Hare Rama Hare Krishna mantra Record topped the charts and went on to become one of the top ten Records in the Records sales of 1970!

Next year George Harrison provided funds to Iskcon that helped them to print the book: Krishna-The Supreme Personality of Godhead with a commentary by Srila Prabhupaad. In the following year 1972 George Harrison bequeathed this Manor as the abode of Lord Ram & Lord Krishna which is today known as the Bhaktivedant Manor.  Before Srila Prabhupad passed away he left his ring for his favourite disciple George Harrison!

Present-day

Author presented her book – “Timeless Trails” to Bhaktivedant Manor.

We were informed that today the Bhaktivedant Manor is a centre of teachings for Vedic scriptures in the western world. Keeping in view the national curriculum, Bhaktivedant School is being run efficiently. The Manor is a venue for scores of events- private weddings besides many festivals. The Iskcon speakers have been invited for Lectures in the House of Commons in the British Parliament! Iskcon celebrated its 50^thanniversary with the visit of the then Prime Minister Cameron at the Manor. They had been invited every year at 10 Downing Street, his residence for Deepawali celebrations, too.

Bhaktivedant Manor visited by thousands is a bystander to the devotion and compassion of Beatle George Harrison towards his Guru Srila Prabhupaad representing the psychedelic spirit of Iskcon.

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