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The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium
Usage of the temple
Since most of the visitors to Mayapur are pious pilgrims seeking a spiritual experience, they will most likely enter the temple and proceed directly to the Deities. Therefore the first function within the temple is the darshan (viewing) of the Deities. Most people will first see the forms of the Panca-tattva and then Sri Sri Radha Madhava and the guru-parampara. Seeing the form of the Lord is part of the devotional practice known as arcanam, or Deity worship, in which the devotees come before the Lord, bow down before Him, and call out His names. Some visitors to the temple will be afforded a special close-up view of the Deities in the "close darshan line." This will be a special path covered from public view. It will run directly in front of the Deity altars, allowing one to see the Lord without being disturbed by the large crowds. This path is for VIPs, but those who want to offer a special donation to the Deities may also use it. The Deities are of such paramount importance to the temple that many pujaris will carry out Their worship following a strict schedule. A minimum of six aratiks (Deity ceremonies) will be held every day for all three sets of Deities. Incense, camphor lamps, ghee lamps, water, handkerchiefs, flowers, camara fans, and peacock feather fans will be offered at appropriate times during the ceremonies. Besides the regular aratiks each day, special functions will be observed for the pleasure of the Deity. Sometimes the Deity will ride on a swing, lovingly pulled by the devotees; sometimes the Deity will float on a boat in the temple's northeastern corner lake, enjoying His water pastimes with His devotees; and sometimes He will enter a room of mirrors, so that He may view His exquisite form from all directions. Regular abhishekas (bathing ceremonies) will be held in the temple. During the morning time, after the first aratik (mangala aratik), which ends at 5:00 a.m., till the greeting of the Deities at 7:15 a.m., there will be a private bathing of the Lord daily. Afterwards, the pujaris will collect the water used for the bathing to distribute later in the temple. This water is called caranamrta, "nectar from the lotus feet of the Lord." On special appearance days, the form of the Lord appearing on that day will be worshiped publicly. On these occasions, some of the senior devotees will pour auspicious substances, such as milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and water, over the Deity. Recurrent festivals will be held in the temple to commemorate the special days connected with the appearance and pastimes of the Lord. Not only will special appearance days be observed -- such as Janmastami, the appearance day of Sri Krishna; Gaur Purnima, the appearance day of Lord Caitanya; Radhastami, the appearance day of Srimati Radharani; Ramanavami, the appearance day of Lord Ramacandra; and so on -- but also pastime days, such as the day of the rasa-lila, the dance of love between the Lord and His gopi girlfriends in Vrindavan. On certain days of the week, the Deities will circumambulate the temple on top of Their own elephant, who is specially trained to carry the Deities in a grand procession. Going around a covered parikrama path specifically constructed for this procession, groups of brahmanas will chant auspicious mantras for the Lord's pleasure directly in front of the Deities. Ahead of them, a kirtan party will sweetly chant the Lord's holy names, accompanied by a group of drummers playing a special beat. Conch shells will sound, thus clearing the atmosphere and making it all-auspicious. Periodically the procession will stop and a short aratik will be performed to the Lord. Within the temple, a kirtan (chanting of the holy names of the Lord) will always be heard. Sometimes there will be large-scale congregational chanting, and sometimes experienced devotee singers and musicians will play devotional songs for the Lord's pleasure. This transcendental sound vibration is the most important element in devotional service. Deity worship without the chanting of the Lord's name has no real value, and Deity worship combined with the chanting of the Lord's name is the perfection of worship. Worship of the Lord according to the Vedic rules and regulations is called pancaratrika vidhi, whereas the chanting of the holy names of the Lord is called bhagavata vidhi. Although both are important for the gradual purification of the spiritual candidates, the chanting of the holy name is sufficient to bring one back to one's original position in the spiritual world. Yet due to the contamination of this age, Srila Jiva Goswami has noted that it is much better to both chant the names of God and worship Him on the altar in the temple. This recommendation is especially important for householders. Together, these two processes are very powerful and will bring one quickly to the platform of pure devotional service. Devotees and visitors will also be encouraged to perform japa (chanting privately to oneself). Every devotee in ISKCON chants a minimum of two hours of japa each day. Beads, beadbags, and instructions on how to chant will be available at every ISKCON kiosk. At least twice a day in the temple, classes will be held on the Vedic literature. Experienced speakers will lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam in the morning and the Bhagavad-gita in the evening. Hearing these two most important books from a devotee of the Lord brings one closer to Krishna through transcendental knowledge. Krishna has said in the Bhagavad-gita that transcendental knowledge can burn to ashes all the firewood of sinful activities thrown to it. Therefore everyone is encouraged to attend these lectures and become purified. Everyone who comes to the temple will receive a small portion of maha-prasadam before they leave. Complete meals of the Deities' maha-prasadam will also be available in prasadam halls one floor level beneath the temple. All the Deity prasadam will be prepared in temple kitchens just below the Deity altars. There also will be seminar halls built within the temple, both above and below the temple floor. In these halls, special instruction will be given on aspects of the philosophy and practice of Krishna consciousness. Regular courses on specific themes will explain certain portions of the vast Vedic literature. Groups of students or other tour groups will hear introductory lectures and be given an opportunity to ask questions. Experienced cooks, pujaris, preachers, kirtan players, administrative personnel and guards will give training sessions within those areas of the temple appropriate to the discipline being learned. There they will also simultaneously train newcomers who will later join the temple support crew. |
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Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare |
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