Here are some questions that we thought should be addressed online for those of you who want more information regarding the new temple...
Why are you building the temple here?
Because Srila Prabhupada desired it to be in that particular place. When he first came to Mayapur, it was only fields of jute and rice paddies. Then they built the Bhajan Kutir and the Lotus building. At that point the corner stone was laid by Srila Prabhupada at the very place where the ToVP is being built.
How big is the temple? How many people can fit inside it?
In the main dome 6000 people could fit comfortably. The corridors and Nrisimhadeva dome can hold another 2000, and the museums and exhibition rooms can hold 2000. So roughly about 10,000 people.
Is there any link between Vedic guidelines and the temple design?
Yes, there are. We are following the Vedic symmetry in the construction of the temple.
How green is the building?
100% Green. Everything is state of the art and up to date. In the future if there is any more Green technology availability, we will infiltrate it.
How do you claim that you are the biggest Hindu Vaisnava temple in the world?
The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium is 350 feet high. The biggest Hindu documented temples in India are the third of the size of the ToVP. The dome is one of the biggest in the world. It's par with Saint Peter in Italy.
When you say that this is the biggest temple, is it in terms of height or capacity?
This is the biggest temple in both capacity and height. Some of the south Indian temples look so big, but the capacity to hold people inside is very limited to only about a couple hundred people.
What are the functions of the domes?
The domes have many functions. One of them is to enhance the beauty of the temple. Another function is to hold the Vedic chandelier and show the constellation of the universe.
How many altars and deities are you going to have?
The ToVP is going to have three altars: To the right, Radha Madhava, center, Panca Tattva and the Disciplic succession with our guru Parampara will be on the left. Just facing the three altars, we are going to put Srila Prabhupada's Vyasasana, on the other side of the main temple room. There is also going to be on the other dome temple, Lord Nrsimhadeva's altar.
As it is a massive structure, how have you taken care of preventing the natural calamities, such as earth quake, fire, etc? How safe is the building?
Yes, we are taking care of that important issue with quite high technology that we have available. For example, for earthquakes we are using floating foundations which will float according to the necessities of the calamities.
Regarding fire, the building will be fully equipped with fire extinguishers all over the place and fire security doors to ensure safety to all the visitors, pilgrims and devotees.
What is the main reason of building a temple? What message do you want to give to the people?
Just 500 years ago, on this land, here in Mayapur, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the most merciful incarnation of Lord Krsna manifested Himself in the guise of a pure devotee and performed His sweetest pastimes with all His associates.
His message was this sankirtan movement: the congregational chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. This sublime and easy method is the recommended method of self realization for this age of kali yuga.
What is a Vedic Planetarium? What is that all about?
The Vedic Planetarium is the desire of Srila Prabhupada to give to the materialistic scientists and all the people in general, the authoritative conclusion of the Vedas about the disposition of the planets in the universe.
He wanted all to have access to the conclusion of the Vedas with detailed explanations from the 5 Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Prabhupada:
No "Understanding" simply Vedic "Temple of Vedic Planetarium," That's all. We shall show the Vedic conception of planetary system within this material world and above the material world. [break] We are going to exhibit the Vedic culture throughout the whole world, and they'll come here.
– Morning walk, February 27, 1976, Mayapur