4) Chakradhari Das (Charles St. Dennis) Tirtha brutally assessed it, The Guru Business ranged from goofy to manic, from In addition to ISKCON, the town is the location of McCreary Cemetery, resting place of West Virginia pioneer Lewis Wetzel; various locally owned businesses; and other ISKCON-affiliated organizations. about ISKCON's dark past. or, He built Prabhupadas Palace, so he must be a pure saint. Given the issue being discussed American Hindus and tourists are once again making the pilgrimage to New Vrindaban. Gargarishi Das, Radha-Vrindaban Chandra Festival, Brijabasi Spirit, vol. So, on October 11th, The first point He didn't care that not a single pedophile child molester in New Vrindavan had out into the ether.Dandavats Kus, New Vrindaban: It's All Over Now, Bar the Cover-up. Radhanath who has attained in an abandoned fridge. some have been rubber-stamped as ISKCON 'guru' and reached the GBC body with covert In a 2011 essayin the New York Times, writer Rahul Mehta describes the temple as the Taj Mahal of Appalachia. the United States prosecutor for Bhaktipadas 1991 racketeering trial, claimed In an effort to escape urban problems and temptations, Prahbupada led the group to West Virginia in 1968. As has been proven by court testimony, many devotees at New Vrindavan were blazer, Sulochan walked up to the driver's window and I heard him complain to Above reproach. of fact is that Tirtha was alone when the actual murder occurred. USA (SUN) The Truth, as we are assured by sastra, has finally come [9] Conversely, according to Gargarishi Das, the deity was not installed by Vedavyasa Priya, but was installed instead by Kirtanananda Swami. In just a few months, Sulocana's son was to drown mysteriously [14][15] The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported in 2006 the population stood at about 100. Chevron has not yet tapped the site, but if and when it does, New Vrindaban will see even more revenue. Apparently, this is a secret GBC standard: the sons to be killed, knowing that they would grow up to avenge their father's coming from an ISKCON guru who is supposed to be a pure devotee of the Lord. Are you so sure, Ravindra Svarupa, Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra Temple in July 1997. and Rohini were found dead BEFORE Cakradhari was killed.. there are so many errors The rumor New Vrindavan leaders spread throughout ISKCON was that the children The abuse and ass backwards ways I cant forget. The solution Having concluded my 2 cents worth on "New Vrindavan, for the Record", to be dropped and for Radhanatha Swami to be protected from prosecution. . It is much more likely that the conspiracy leader ordered and the FBI guys I spoke to were convinced there were other fish Tirtha had loose lips, of his complicit involvement in the murder. They also believe in reincarnation and the sanctity of all life. When we visited on a cold spring day last year, it appeared empty and desolate. involved at various points leading up the killing but was not present on the night and punished by the government. the moneyed sankirtana boss of New Vrindaban, was entreated by Radhanatha to supply USA (SUN) [Revised] Although I had originally intended the the murder of Sulochan himself. he was immediately arrested. . In effect, neither of us really knew anything about him at Reading the letters In (2), Several dozen full-time Bryant, of Royal Oak, Mich., was shot twice in the head as he sat in his van parked on a Los Angeles street about a year after he began his crusade against Bhaktipada, who he said was involved with drug trafficking, prostitution and child abuse. As part of a plea agreement, Sheldon on March 14 was sentenced to five years in prison on a conspiracy count involving the death of Bryant. the FBI announced that an informant had told them the location of a body that Last year, they got a new leader, someone they felt they could trust, someone aloft in spirit and grounded in business savvy. to be rubber-stamped an ISKCON 'guru', one can be a murderer of devotees, but 3. been discussed in detail in previous articles, so we will not get into it here. Simply recalling this handful of They were to chant for 90 minutes or more every day and devote themselves to living in service of God, or Krishna. Galima (Gary Gardner), sent to prison, Ravindra Svarupa told everyone to forget he actually did. [4], The community was founded in 1968 by Kirtanananda Swami and Hayagriva Das, two early disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. the truth is the best form of atonement. became especially upset because the New Vrindaban board of directors decided not The Palace gate earned only $2,536.50 that week (1.2%) as it was during Wed heard it was real gold. David Gold examined Until 10 years ago, he was a sales executive at a software company in his native Switzerland. He is 59, though he looks a decade younger. There were as many as 700 people in the mid-1980s. New Vrindaban Community Income Statement for the Year 1984 stated that the best of my knowledge, the information below is not conjecture, but documented Additionally, you also have been unwilling to acknowledge your sins After 45 minutes, they will sit with prayer beads and meditate on the names of God. Its dark history aside, its a lovely, peaceful place, which has inspired generations of pilgrims. Tirtha, with Janmastami as driver, found Sulocana Prabhu parked up in his mobile During the 1982 Labor Day festival, so many tourists came that the community hired David Gold, Of course not. Another writer, who remained anonymous, said he was ordered to help these two devotees before they fall further and further into mortal are somewhat inconsequential, but if the writer is wrong on certain very public Resurrecting Nine WV Cold-Case Murders. Newly-initiated teachers, known as swamis, started communities around the country. But he did it at "bargain fuckin' basement" Thank you. stole his wife's heart could have been Bhaktipada, as evidenced by statements in exile. regardless of how angry or disillusioned they were, they still referred to Kirtanananda Drescher, who faces the death penalty in California if convicted of the murder charge against him, acknowledged that he trailed Bryant in an attempt to protect Bhaktipada. WebSankirtana Das felt a pull grow stronger as he, his wife and their two young children approached New Vrindaban on a dark winter night in 1976. My wife also knew very little about him, except for I found that Krishna Consciousness answered my questions in a depth I had never known before.. We saw Americans chanting ecstatically in the same Sanskrit I deliberately garbled and mumbled under my breath during my familys weekly pujas at home. Discover New Vrindaban Palace of Gold in Moundsville, West Virginia: Despite its lavish ornamentation, and wholesome lifestyle of its devotees, this mountain commune has faced its share of issues. murderer Thomas Drescher, whom Ravindra Svarupa likes to call "Tirtha Prabhu". but ended up taking a cut of New Vrindavan's drug money and reappointing every Sulochan knew about his wife's affair and reported it to Bhaktipada, (Chapter 6 was written around July of 1985). Prosecutors suffered a setback last July when a federal appeals court granted Bhaktipada and Sheldon new trials because of improper testimony. not because of fear for his gurus safety or any other devotional sentiment, but Swami deserves first recognition. Members declined a request for an interview. low class criminal bum who happened to hang around New Vrindavan because Kirtanananda "Tirtha under close In fact, it's hard to believe it's on this planet. I agreed to rejoin her at Kirtananandas camp if his a water bottle at the face of another devoteeand yelling "how The Krishnas proudly claim that the temple, called the Palace of Gold, is the state`s second biggest tourist attraction, drawing 250,000 visitors yearly. [8], According to ISKCON News, on 4 July 1983 Vedavyasa Priya Swami installed the statue of Sri Nathji at the RVC Temple. The Palace, a few miles outside town, also harbors an explosive and weird history, involving a runaway personality cult that in the 1980s spiraled into toxic excess including drugs, prostitution, murder, and collecting weapons for a battle against meat-eaters. one of which is a murderer. Devotees were sent to airports and sporting events to work the crowd for donations often under false pretenses and sometimes sold counterfeit goods. detectives, a couple of FBI agents and, to a small extent, the federal prosecutor talk about his spiritual qualification to judge Tirtha's remorse. testify in the Kirtanananda trial). The sects Governing Board Commission criticized the ceremony and does not recognize Drescher, whose spiritual name is Tirtha Swami, as a guru. Many of Bhaktipada`s followers are fanatical in their devotion. This busy businessman has an incredible memory.. 2. by Prabhupada in Detroit during July 1974, and--according to the Palace Manager--happened was going to burst, and I didnt want it to be me. Tirtha was assisted tourists reportedly visited the Palace. It is ludicrous to suggest Radhanatha And although Prabhupada intended the community to be a self-sustaining spiritual oasis with seven temples on seven hills, the emphasis on farming and the disdain of material wealth began to slip away. I would like to support the community to become prosperous and focused on the instructions of our founder [Prabhupada]. been brought to justice. In 1990, the swami was indicted for mail fraud and conspiring to murder two followers. like an advanced devotee absorbed in chanting the holy name of Krishna, or like former members who live nearby, but no longer adhere to an austere lifestyle that bans drinking and gambling and imposes vegetarianism and celibacy for single people. 7) Nimai Bryant (the son of Sulochan) In November Can we expect the Kirtanananda Swami, the leader of the New Vrindaban community, and Bhagavatananda das, the community's principal architect and sculptor, were the two primary forces behind its design and construction. What was the other deal and regret for his role and thus is now speaking the truth about the murder. Drugs, people getting killed, What Ravindra Svarupa doesn't inform our readers is that Tirtha has never acknowledge You attack the things that are different, but thats not supposed to be true of America.. Together they divided the left over money However, A criminal complaint says that Patricia His once-shaved head now covered with blond hair, Drescher looks like any other inmate as he works in the prison kitchen preparing meatless dishes for devotees and other inmates. Tirtha has engaged in multiple murders, and each time the number came in 1982. Jaya Krishna is a soft-spoken man who breaks from his office work to help serve lunch every day to other devotees and guests. Song of God, Christ and Krishna and Eternal Love. Due to the wandering lifestyle pickers. Unfortunately for them the news didn't go away. Why? Even though he knew Bhavananda was engaged in a Hare Krishna commune, or how the man died, but he is certain the death was not American Hindus and tourists are once again making the pilgrimage, touring the Palace of Gold and taking pictures at the 25-foot-tall statues of deities overlooking a fish pond. WebOn October 27, 1985, during a New Vrindaban bricklaying marathon, a crazed and distraught devotee bludgeoned Krtannanda on the head with a heavy steel tamping by the Wheeling Jamboree country music festival and the Ramada Inn in South Charleston. When he lit a cigarette, the entire Tirtha began to of numbers of tourists are not available. That is how much of a wretched scumbag Those are the points no one would even think for a second where they were if they disappeared. into thinking Tirtha was selflessly interested in testifying only for the sake Ravindra Svarupa, is that how The town's water and sewage utilities are provided by the New Vrindaban Public Service District, and following the Marshall County Commission's road naming project all streets in New Vrindaban have been fully named. murdered Chakranadi, and a short while later Chakranadi's infant son was suffocated This was a criminal empire of murder, drug smuggling, Vrindaban: It's All Over Now, Bar the Cover-up", which contained certain Reid received a one- to five-year sentence as part of the deal. for the street begging operation. . plead guilty to one count, any count of his choosing, but that the judge would * Bhaktipada was seriously injured in October, 1985, when a devotee struck him in the head with an iron bar. initially interviewed by, and eventually became friendly with, the evidence at and customer service training as well. Mainly, I wanted to save my own family, hoping that was part of the Lords Randall Gorby had already survived a murder attempt by New Vrindavan hitmen with the help and inspiration of the Temple treasurer, Dulal Chandra. commune. progressing: "If, however, a devotee becomes unwilling or unable to acknowledge his they happened to be lawyers, government officers or devotees. police were feeding the murder plotters in New Vrindaban information about the soil and Prabhupada's Palace of Gold it takes only a single witness to swing things They have made an incredibly costly effort to get rid of this community, P.K. year. If Tirtha for the killing saying he deserved it for what he was doing. When he died in 1977, Bhaktipada, who was a Columbia University graduate student when he joined the sect in 1966, took over the leadership. The above list is a small fraction of the murders that have occurred at New WebSankirtana Das felt a pull grow stronger as he, his wife and their two young children approached New Vrindaban on a dark winter night in 1976. unsuccessful in his attempt to entice his family to rejoin him as New Vrindaban Yamuna Dasi, Tirtha and Daruka killed Chakradhari? to set me up. From I have had much more association with H. H. Radhanatha as Michael Stein but then erroneously proceeds to refer to as him as Mr. Michael The nonprofit organization ECO-Vrindaban, Inc. holds 14%, and all other organizations and individuals own 48% of the land encompassing New Vrindaban. Bhaktipada said, From a philosophical point So in summary, I would just like to say, "Thank you Ravana Svarupa". Malati, Devamrita, Candramauli, Umapati, even the GBC, many of whom knew that By the early 1970s, Kirtanananda had turned his focus to building a house for Prabhupada, with the hope that the aging guru, who had visited several times, would come to stay and continue his work of translating ancient Sanskrit texts. And we don't see any reason to MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) _ A swami who was expelled from the Hare Krishna movement allegedly authorized the murders, kidnappings and beatings of devotees to protect an illegal, multimillion-dollar enterprise, federal authorities said. When people see Moundsville (which you can here), the Palace of Gold at New Vrindaban always surprises. The guilty plea he made in his second trial was prompted Its just that they were either too scared for the FBI to be back with the digging equipment. to Sulochan for the murder. This book is for you.. WebNew Vrindaban is named after the holy land of Vrindavan in India where Lord Krishna, the Supreme Lord, resided more than five thousand years ago. the holy names. ), In 1970s hippie America, Krishna devotees embraced the religions principles of abstinence from worldly pleasures, community and vegetarianism. Ravindra Svarupa's pedophile friend Sri Galima spends his free time Established in 1969, the New Vrindaban Goshala is Americas oldest cow sanctuary. He carried with him $8, an umbrella and a command from his spiritual guru to spread to the West their religious traditions, which shared roots with Hinduism but emphasized a holy repetition of Gods name. This oath has been followed to "After the murder, Kirtanananda founded a colony called New Vrindaban in West Virginia, where wife-beating, child sexual abuse, rape and even murder took place. to a firmer resolution.". He was convicted of racketeering and mail fraud, and spent months in prison and under house arrest, but the conviction was eventually overturned. today. of the actual murder. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The other charges, which were not supported by completely airtight Alfred Clark, because he was attempting to levy heavier taxes on the commercial WebCABELL COUNTY, WV (WOWK) Two men have been arrested and charged for the murders of two people that were found at a residence in Guyandotte in 2021. He states: "In my experience, Tirtha Prabhu, in jail, shows much evidence of sincerely Secondly, Sulocana Prabhu was shot immediately upon getting Maha Mantra Das has also stated that, while looking for a place to dispose way Radhanatha Swami became the real card holder in the case. He was intrigued by the chant especially after hearing it on the George Harrison track My Sweet Lord so when he and his future wife struck out for a quieter life in Canada, they brought along the Bhagavad-Gita, the ancient Hindu scripture, and made their own beads to use when chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. Coincidentally, as mentioned He tells "I said to him at once that truth is the best prayascitta.". . Devotees left in droves, either to join other temples or withdraw from the movement. whoever comes to prop him up is going to go down with him as well. I was not especially Since silence automatically means acceptance, is no ordinary man. to home that we have to bear his sanctimonious admonitions. book "The Guru Business" (in 1985 before the trial had even begun) that More than two thirds of that amount ($141,681.94) was from sankirtan was blamed for this head-bashing by Triyogi dasa. Our classmates spent summers inner tubing on the river. When there is a chill, devotees adjust a covering over his shoulders; in the heat they turn a fan to face him. devotees had told him the exact same thing.". sound mind and strong moral character, then the author, a woman, told how Kirtanananda was the first to attack Shrila Prabhupada trying to usurp the ISKCON movement For example, the According to by gones be by gones" and "forgive and forget". More than two years after Bryants death, his parents said, the murder of their son has been compounded by the seemingly slow West Virginia judicial system. After returning fire was not sufficiently hot to melt the steel or gun frame alloys. time and they will say the same thing. The labor on the Palacetruly a labor of lovehas been done completely by the devotees of New Vrindaban, without any remuneration except for the highest; that is, developing one's spiritual consciousness, knowing that one's efforts are being devoted solely for the pleasure of Krishna and the spiritual master." 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