The India Heritage Foundation in Shrewsbury inaugurated its Sri Sri Radha Damodhar Mandir on the July 4th weekend in Shrewsbury, MA which is the largest Hare Krishna temple in New England. Senator Michael Moore  and Ravi Ika did the ribbon cutting for the center. 

The temple serves the mission of His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. The event was attended by spiritual leaders like HG Madhu Pandit Dasa, founder of Akshaya Patra and President of ISKCON Banglore, HG Chanchalapathi Dasa, HG Jai Chaitanya Dasa , HG Bhakti Lata Devi Dasi and others

Senator Mike Moore was the chief Guest. Other guests of honor included Ravi Ika,  Francis X. Clooney, Harvard Professor, Ram Emani, Cardiologist, Asst Prof Harvard Medical School, Thea Keith Lucas , Associate Dean MIT. and others. 

The grand “Prana Prathishta” was done according to the scriptures by Priest HG Kulashekara Chaitanya Dasa from India along with priests from New Jersey and Pandit Sarma from New England. Deities in the temple included Sri Sri Radha Damodara ( moola and utsavar ), Sri Sri Gaura Nitai (moola and utsavar ) and Srila Prabhupada. The spectacular altar was from Jaipur using the Rajasthani Temple Architecture.

Over 1000+ visitors attended the events every day and all were given free sumptuous Prasadam all through the event. Cultural events included Kirtans led by Harvard Students, dance performance by Lasya School of Dance, Narayana teertha kritis by Sruthilayalu group and more. A panel discussion with HG Madhu Pandit Dasa, HG Jai Chaitanya Dasa, HG Bhakti Lata Devi Dasi moderated by Ranjani Saigal was held where the spiritual leaders answered a variety of spiritual questions

On the final day of the inauguration, HG Madhu Pandit Dasa explained the essence of the temple and worshiping the Deity. “When we do the Prana Prathishta the Divine Krishna enters the Vigraham. There is no difference between Krishna and the Vigraham” said HG Madhu Pandit Dasa. The divine energy was palpable as every devotee was filled with bliss chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra and dancing with it. 

 â€œEverything turned out way beyond our expectations. We know that it was only because Krishna was doing things that this was possible” said Sadananada Dasa under whose leadership this was executed.