In the Hidden Treasures of Western PA class last term, Linda Bosson and I learned about the Palace of Gold at New Vrindaban in the panhandle of West Virginia. We drove out there on Sunday and found a little bit of India. After about 15 miles of winding, two lane roads, passing farms, tiny towns and rolling hills, we came to the Palace of Gold, a monument to the founder of the global Hare Krishna movement.
On a tour of the palace we learned about how it was built and how the International Society for Krishna Consciousness was founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966. After the tour we went to the temple arriving in time to observe some of the prayer service and stay for lunch, Sunday vegetarian lunch being an important part of the temple activities. We were made to feel welcome by the participants in the service, both Indian and Western adherents, who helped us understand some of what was happening.
This is the lake at New Vrindaban.
We weren’t allowed to take pictures in the Palace and I was uncomfortable taking pictures in the Temple. Many photos of both the Temple and Palace can be found here.
Ruthe Karlin
