Prabhupada's Palace of Gold

Prabhupada's Palace of Gold sits on a ridge above New Vrindaban, the oldest rural Krishna conscious (ISKCON) community in the United States, founded in 1968 on a West Virginia farm. Begun in 1972 as a residence for ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada, it became his memorial palace after his death, dedicated in 1979, and its marble, onyx, gold leaf, inlaid floors and peacock-motif gardens make it look transplanted from another century and continent. Devotee volunteers built most of it by hand, and the National Register of Historic Places registration form documents its architectural significance.

The community's history is not simple. Under its leader in the 1980s and 1990s, New Vrindaban went through severe scandals, federal convictions involving its leadership, and the loss of ISKCON recognition, before being readmitted in 1998. The community today discloses that history in its own materials and continues as an active place of worship: the Radha Vrindaban Chandra temple holds daily services, the cow protection program keeps its herd, and pilgrims and tourists share the grounds.

Visiting

Palace of Gold lists current hours (weekdays 10am to 5pm, weekends to 6pm) and admission ($12 adults, $8 children and seniors, tours every 30 minutes); New Vrindaban covers temple services and the wider community.

Photo: [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prabhupada%27s_Palace_of_Gold_at_New_Vrindaban.jpg), CC BY-SA 4.0, Lee Paxton.