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Here in Moscow, Janmastami and Vyasa Puja were celebrated with great pomp. Around six thousand people passed through the temple on these two days. HH Bhakti Chaitanya Maharaja was the guest of honor. Srichand and Gopichand Hindujas also visited our temple on Janmastami night after their dinner with the Prime Minister of Russia. They were very pleased to see the festivities and to hear the update of the temple project. Now, I want to share with you the important news I reported that day. On Janmastami day, September, 4th we signed the contract with the architectural firm to go forward with the design and construction plans for the future temple, and also provide all the governmental approvals and permits needed to start the construction. The firm has retained our devotee architect as one of the authors of the project and to supervise the work of other architects, helping to ensure the devotional standards of the project. We are now in full swing to meet the requirements of the city government to be ready for building in one year. This is really a challenge as similar projects in Moscow usually take much longer. It seems Sri Krishna is continuing to give us more and more opportunities to serve Him with all of our intelligence and resources. IN ORDER FOR CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN WE MUST BEGIN LAND TESTING IMMEDIATELY. This is a complicated and expensive procedure that will alone cost us around $250,000. YOUR DONATION CAN HELP TO START CONSTRUCTION NOW! The Moscow devotees have undergone a variety of hardships in their struggle to spread Krishna Consciousness. But even under oppression and facing adversity they have overcame and accomplished much as their our humble offering to Srila Prabhupada on his Vyasa-puja day. Within three years of losing our previous temple building, we have: · built some 6000 sq. ft. ashram where 48 brahmacaris and myself are living at present; · lost 2 court cases against the city government; · conducted 3 quite successful (or semi-successful) PR campaigns in defense of the temple project; · uninterruptedly continued to worship of the temple Deities and all Temple programs including Sunday Feast; · kept the same level of book distribution; · revived the FFL program; · arranged bigger than ever festivals in Moscow; · collected and spent on this work around 1,8 million USD; · Finally, after much struggle, acquired 5 acres of land in a very beautiful area to construct our temple. · Developed a vegetarian restaurant in Moscow. Collectively, I know we are the solution. Respectfully, Yours in the service of Lord Krishna  Bhakti Vijnana Goswami Chairman, Moscow Temple Fund -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And so now today, after nearly four and a half years of struggle, we are poised to move forward vigorously towards a major victory for the Krishna consciousness movement – the first Vedic temple in Moscow, one of the most important cities in the world. KINDLY DONATE NOW!
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