New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 11/20/2014
This week’s challenge: Many people will be enlivened to know the building in this photo is currently undergoing a major renaissance. Can you identify it, what purposes it’s served over the years, and possibly the era this photo was taken?
Extra credit: Can you ID any of the Matajis in the foreground?
What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the Brijabasi Spirit website.
What: Cows walking uphill behind the the back side of the Bahulaban Barn.
Pitambar recalls:
“I spent many years there. Early after the morning program the cows were fed and milked, calves got their bottles and ate my sari. Numerous milk products were made – butter, ghee, milk sweets, cheese, ice cream, etc. New devotees and visitors got to see the special auspicious udders of Krsna’s cows. While leaning in to see the lotus flower marking they were surprised by a warm squirt of milk in their face. The milking was repeated in the evening. Amburish wanted us to clean the barn as good as possible so Radha Vrindaban Chandra would visit. Many Gopastami’s were celebrated there.”
Tilakini adds:
“Living there in the upstairs rooms, you could always hear the cows mooing. Of course, all our belongings smelled like the barn.”
Syamakunda humorously remembers:
“It also was the first building with hot water…. the cows needed it for their teats to get washed… THANK GOD …. by the cows mercy we finally got hot water….”
And Meghamala had the final word on those austere times:
“My first two sons were born there, and the first was BEFORE ANY running water!”
UPDATE: We are pleased to report that summer 2014 saw Vyasasan prabhu and a small construction crew begin work on a complete barn renovation (see additional photo below). By 2015 the barn will be ready for a revitalized Ox Training Program, headed by Daivata and Varsana Swami.
When: Photo is circa mid 1970s. The barn was completed in 1975.
Where: Bahulaban barn & pasture, New Vrindaban, West Virginia.