The Sri Mayapur Masterplan Committee’s sub division, dealing with Exhibits and Museums is seeking help to envision and develop a series of Exhibits and Museums to be included in the development of the City of Mayapur. It is important to understand that we are not speaking of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Rather these facilities will be featured in the town that surrounds the ToVP.
Srila Prabhupada said that people would come to Mayapur to see “…the architectural culture, they’ll come to see the civilization culture, the philosophical culture, the religious culture by practical demonstration…”
He wanted our city to be based on ‘Vedic Culture’, a culture of education and elevated behavior. We have an opportunity to design a series of exhibits and museums; both static and living that will bring out the fullness of Srila Prabhupada’s vision. He described that by using western talents to develop Mayapur it would become “unique in the world”. We have no fixed plan as to how this can be achieved but we know it should be unique!
One of the concepts in our ongoing masterplan work over the years was that, as one enters the city one experiences a gradual transition from the mundane world that eventually leads to the Darshan of their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Madhava in their wondrous transcendent, cosmological temple.
One way this transition could be realized would be through the cities architecture, making it more and more grand, otherworldly and inspiring as one moves towards the temple. Another way would be to bring visitors through a series of ‘immersive’ environments, each of which builds an increasing sense of expectation.
There are a number of ‘living’ museums and ‘cultural’ villages that re-enact the way people used to live. This is something we could do to show the historic precedents of Vaisnava life and culture. We would also need practical demonstrations based on what can be achieved today. We are to implement vedic culture according to our current time place and circumstance. This should be a tangible part of the Sri Mayapur experience.
For example: We could start with a series of exhibits/experiences that demonstrate the falsehood of the bodily conception and the eternality of the soul. This can then lead into demonstrations of the teachings of our previous acaryas, establishing the position of Mahaprabhu and the dissemination of his teachings. This could be done using dioramas (as seen at Akshardham) or some other media. Next could be experiences or demonstrations that show the superiority of the vedic way in terms of quality of life; that vedic existence is not simply ‘abstract’, but rather that it is a sophisticated, rich, colorful, compassionate and deeply satisfying way. We can then demonstrate how this leads to a life of worship and dedication that ultimately delivers us to the transcendental world of Goloka…
We need to think outside of the box.
Prabhupada wanted Mayapur to be a place of constant festivity and enlightenment. An intelligent plan of facilities is required. A variety of permanent and temporary pavilions and other venues can be situated throughout, in the streets, avenues and parks, in which all kinds of festivals, demonstrations, exhibitions, or discourses, great and small, can take place continuously.
There are many ways in which we can make our Mayapur City “unique in the world”. The above suggestions are simply to give an idea of the scope of the work; we are seeking creative suggestions.
We are seeking artisans, visionaries and developers who can give some time to think deeply about the task Srila Prabhupada has charged us with. We need to cater to a wide audience, from simple Indian villagers to wealthy international intelligentsia.
Whatever is conceived of, it should be practically achievable. There are many things to consider: the sub tropical climate, floods, irregular power supply, lack of proper infrastructure, lack of available equipment or suppliers, etc.
If you are interested to participate please write to Samba Das at gregvanclark@airpost.net with details of your experience.
If you need any more information please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank You.
Your servant
Samba das
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=12624
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