TOVP Yajña Śālā Opens in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur with Grand Celebration

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi, ISKCON News Staff Writer

A historic milestone was marked in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur on February 11, 2026, with the grand opening of the TOVP Yajña Śālā, accompanied by an extraordinary celebration that will be remembered for years to come. The Yajña Śālā opening marks another significant step in the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium project.

A Vision Manifested Hriday Chaitanya Das, one of the co-directors of ISKCON Mayapur and a GBC member, reflected on the significance of the occasion, “Yajña Śālā means the place where fire sacrifice is performed. Mayapur is Prabhupada’s place of worship, and naturally, we need a place where daily yagya can be performed. Ambarish Prabhu, Braj Vilas Prabhu, and their team have created this attractive Yajña Śālā. It looks like it has been built by Lord Vishwakarma himself.”

The Day’s Celebrations

The festivities began at 7:00 AM with Darshan Arati, followed by a magnificent procession at 7:45 AM. Deities of Śrīla Prabhupāda, Nityananda Prabhu Charana Paduka, Nrsimhadeva Shaligram, and Sri Sri Radha Madhava were ceremonially brought from the temple in a grand procession that made its way to the newly inaugurated Yajña Śālā. The atmosphere was filled with devotion as devotees witnessed this historic moment.

The day-long program included a Śrīla Prabhupāda class on Bhagavad-gītā 3.9-14, speeches by senior devotees, the installation of the Dwara Palakas and Catur Veda, Vastupuja and Vastuhoma ceremonies, culminating in Purna Huti (yajna completion) at noon. The evening program featured Sankirtan Yajna, more speeches by senior devotees, and the beginning of the Nitya Homa during Godhuli Muhurta (the auspicious twilight time) at 6:00 PM, followed by parikrama, kirtan, and cultural programs.

Some of the speakers for the event included Lokanath Swami, Bhakti Chaitanya Swami, Guru Prasad Swami, Basu Ghosh Das, Anuttama Dasa, Srutakirti Das, Gauranga Das, and Shri Padmanabh Goswami (senior sevait of the Sri Sri Radha Raman Temple in Vrindavan).

The Eternal Flame

The most significant aspect of this opening was the installation of the Nitya Homa, the eternal fire sacrifice that will be performed daily for the next 10,000 years in this sacred space. These daily yajnas began in 1986 at the Mayapur Lotus Garden, moved to the Gurukula, and, on February 11th, 2026, that very same eternal flame was permanently transferred to the TOVP Yajña Śālā, ensuring the unbroken continuity of this spiritual practice spanning nearly 40 years.A Palace for Sacred Offering

Devotees present at the event, and those watching online via Mayapur TV, were amazed by the stunning beauty of the Yajña Śālā. Measuring 60 feet by 60 feet and 30 feet in height, the marble and granite structure is surrounded by a picturesque water channel, beautiful foliage and gardens, pleasant walkways, and an elaborate foot wash area. As devotees enter through the teakwood door entranceways, they behold forty-four marble stambhas (pillars) situated around the immense 7-foot by 7-foot Yajna Peeta (arena) with its interior Yajna Kunda (fireplace) adorned with gold, silver, and copper borders, Chakra, Kalash, and Dwaja decorations, along with two sacred mandalas.

The building is magnificently illuminated with beautiful lighting that makes it appear like a palace dedicated to sacred fire sacrifice, creating a perfect atmosphere for offering yajñas for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva, Sri Prahlad Narasimha Dev, and His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda.The Importance of Yajña

Yajña has always been central to Vedic culture. In this age of Kali, the primary yajña is the chanting of the Holy Name. Still, traditional fire sacrifices performed according to proper Vedic standards remain an important part of temple ceremonies and major festivals. The TOVP Yajña Śālā now serves as a dedicated space for such sacred offerings, carried out with purity and devotion to uplift devotees, spiritualize the people of the world, support the success of the sankirtan movement, and protect Śrīla Prabhupāda’s ISKCON.

The sacred fire is considered a direct witness to offerings made to Lord Vishnu, symbolizing His divine presence. The inauguration ceremony included traditional Vedic rituals such as bhoomi puja (earth worship), the invocation of demigods, chanting of Sanskrit mantras, and fire offerings, all conducted with strict adherence to Vedic protocols.Educational Mission

ISKCON Mayapur operates Śrī Rūpānuga Paramārthika Vidyāpīțha, a gurukul for adults that offers courses on yajna practices aligned with Śrīla Prabhupāda’s directives. Over 350 students from 30 countries have been trained in yajna, and many will assist in temple rituals, ensuring that these sacred practices continue with authenticity and devotion.Devotee Participation

Devotees worldwide participated in this historic milestone through various sponsorship programs. The first yajña was sponsored at three levels: ₹1 lakh, ₹5 lakh, and ₹11 lakh to support the inaugural fire sacrifice in front of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Additional sponsorship opportunities were available for various elements of the Yajña Śālā, including the Yajña Peetha (sacrificial altar), Vaishnava Peetha (seat for Vaishnavas), Yajña Stambha (sacrificial pillars), Dwarapalaka Stambha (doorkeeper pillars), and Veda Stambha (Vedic pillars). Those interested in supporting this historic endeavor can visit the website for more information about ongoing sponsorship opportunities.A Dream Manifesting

This milestone reminds us how the TOVP project continues to grow step by step. What began as a dream in the heart of Śrīla Prabhupāda—first taking shape at the inaugural Mayapur festival in 1972 and formalized through instructions given to Ambarish Das in 1975- is gradually manifesting before our eyes. Each new development strengthens Māyāpur’s role as the spiritual capital of the world and a beacon of Lord Caitanya’s mercy.