Is Vedic Eco Village part of Saranagati?
Saranagati Village Holdings Inc. (SVHI) is a land holding corporation. Vedic Eco Village is made up of several shares within SVHI amounting to 70 acres of forest and farm land at the southernmost tip of the entire 1600 acre property. The Eco Village abides by the same regulative principles and local bylaws as SVHI, but operates independently as a separate community with a defined vision and mission.
For volunteers at the Vedic Eco Village, we provide training for Vedic living off grid. Saranagati is predominantly a western Canadian culture with modern convenience. These two lifestyles are very different and in some ways incompatible.
Can I stay at Vedic Eco Village and spend time in Saranagati?
Saranagati Village is a private residential community that has no guest facilities and restricted visitor hours. We do not recommend going there as some residents find new/unknown people disruptive.
Facility at the Vedic Eco Village is the only accommodation available within the valley, reserved for volunteers and trainees who are dedicated to serving the mission. We do not host guests of Saranagati.
How many people live at Vedic Eco Village?
There are currently one permanent household residing on the land. Bhakti Raghava Swami has a cabin where he stays during his world tours. We are looking to expand our population with individuals and families, and currently we host volunteers and pioneers for short term stays.
Why create a Vedic Eco Village in Saranagati Village?
The project we are introducing is facilitating the expansion of the existing efforts at Saranagati and will add the opportunity to introduce traditional Vedic education. An Eco Village is based on concepts and talks of Srila Prabhupadada about Gurukulas and Varnasarama College. Unfortunately, although spoken about by Srila Prabhupadada, both are practically non-existence in ISKCON society. The proposed of the Vedic Eco Village is to further complement, not duplicate or compete with existing facilities and services and on-going activities at Saranagati.
Why build a new Goshala when there is already one in Saranagati ?
The Vedic norm is that every family should have a Goshala, at least every family should care for at least one cow. Because Saranagati is spread out over 1600 acres (10 km), it is not practical to have only one Goshala. Saranagati is ideal to have many smaller communities within the larger community. Within each community, more naturally and geographically, there should be localize cows that serve each community.
The plan for a Goshala in the Vedic Eco Village should be seen as complimentary to the existing Goshala, and an additional asset to the entire Saranagati project. In the Vedic culture, householders are meant to care for cows daily. As Krishna shows by his personal example, householders are meant to worship cows on a daily basis, so we are trying to reach this high standard. Another Goshala brings us closer to a what a Vedic Village is meant to be, and the cow culture will become part of our life.
From cow culture, a cow economy emerges which is the basic os Vedic economics as taught in our literatures. We will be gradually be introducing cow products, with the idea of encouraging devotees to use this products to reduce harmful chemically produced products such as soap, toothpaste and detergents that are harmful to the body and soil. More and more devotees are producing such products and we will feature some of these on our website and gradually the production of such products will be part of the Gurukula curriculum. This can only happen if we have more cows.
Why build a new mandir when one already exists in Saranagati?
There is a nice explanation given by Srila Prabhupada in the context of another large community Hyderbad farm, which covered 700 acres of land. It is recorded that Srila Prabhupada instructed residence of New Naimisaranya, Srila Prabhupada indicated that devotees should live in groups of 6 to 10 families in difference locations, and each form a small community with each having their own temple and deities.
How many mandirs are being created?
Having small temples in different parts of the valley that will facilitate devotees to attend nearby by daily programs. The new temple will not diminish the importance of the existing devotees which give the opportunity for devotees to meet weekly. smaller temples allows devotees to congregate on a daily basis and they can attend the weekly meeting at the main temple. Many temples can co-exist in this way. More prasad, more darshan, more devotion, more kirtan....
Can Saranagati residence visit the Eco Village?
Not only are the residence of Saranagati Village invited to visit, but we humbly request they are involved in whatever way they feel inclined. The Eco Village is meant to enhance and support the existing work and service that has been done over the years. We welcome the devotees participation.
