2017 Onwards | The Legacy continues
Ever since the Mahasamadhi of H.H. Bhaktiyog Swami Maharaj, H.G. Parmanand Das has continued the legacy of his spiritual master, duly following all the traditions and practices established by him, in accordance with the Gaudiya Vaishnav tradition propounded by H.D.G. Srila Prabhupada.
2017 | H.H. Bhaktiyog Maharaj attains Mahasamadhi
Sh. Hrishikesh Mafatlal and the other Ousted Trustees did not set foot in Nav Madhuban Ashram during this entire 28-year period (1989-2017), nor participated in the affairs of Nav Madhuban Ashram temple and its premises.
H.H. Bhaktiyog Swami Maharaj attained Mahasamadhi in the year 2017. His Samadhi was established at Nav Madhuban Ashram.
28-02-2017 | H.H. Bhaktiyog Swami Maharaj issued a letter of authority to his disciple, H.G. Parmanand Das, appointing him as the nominee/spiritual head of Madhuban Ashram. The congregation of devotees of the Ashram also accepted him as the spiritual head of the Ashram in accordance with H.H. Bhaktiyog Swami Maharaj's desire.
1997-2008 | Litigation Continues
1997 | Suit filed by the Ousted Trustees before the Hon'ble Bombay City Civil Court, Mumbai, seeking to extinguish INVET. The Suit was unconditionally withdrawn in the year 2012, and no relief was granted to the Ousted Trustees.
Sri Bhaktiyog Swami and Sri Raju Bajaj filed S.C. Suit No. 4508 of 1997 before the Hon'ble City Civil Court, Mumbai, against Sh. Hrishikesh Mafatlal and others, seeking declaration to give effect to the letters dated 09-05-1995 and 22-06-1995 issued by Srila Bhaktipada to expel the six Trustees.
2007 | Notice of Motion No. 2017 of 2007 was filed by the Defendants under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC seeking rejection of the Plaint on the ground that the letters constituted an "award" by the Arbiter / Arbitrator and the Civil Court had no jurisdiction. The Notice of Motion was allowed, and the Suit was dismissed by Order dated 07-04-2008. This is the first judicial recognition that the 1995 removal letters are binding and enforceable.
1995 | Betrayals & Litigations Begin
30-03-1995 | Six Trustees - (1) Sh. N.D. Desai, (2) Sh. R.K. Maheshwari, (3) Sh. Hrishikesh A. Mafatlal, (4) Sh. S.P. Maheshwari, (5) Dr. Ravi Khatanhar, and (6) Sh. Rajesh Talwar - unilaterally passed a resolution to extinguish INVET and to transfer all of its properties to ISKCON. The resolution was opposed by the other two Trustees, Sri Bhaktiyog Swami and Sri Raju Bajaj, as recorded in the minutes of the said meeting, who kept their faith intact in their Guru, Sh. Kirtanananda Swami.
09-05-1995 | Srila Bhaktipada invoked Clause 25 of the Trust Deed , which made him 'the sole arbitrator to decide upon the eligibility and/or continued eligibility of the trustees, present as well as future' and issued letters to the Trustees (delivered through Sri Raju Bajaj, Trustee) asking the six dissenting Trustees - (1) Sh. N.D. Desai, (2) Sh. R.K. Maheshwari, (3) Sh. Hrishikesh A. Mafatlal, (4) Sh. S.P. Maheshwari, (5) Dr. Ravi Khatanhar, and (6) Sh. Rajesh Talwar (the "Ousted Trustees") - to step down from trusteeship of the said Trust.
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22-06-1995 | By the power vested in him by Clause 25 of the Trust Deed, Srila Bhaktipada officially declared the aforesaid six persons no longer eligible to hold positions as Trustees of INVET and disqualified them from continuing to act in the said office.
1994 | The Legacy of Bhaktiyog Maharaj
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01-07-1994 | Srila Bhaktipada issued a letter appointing H.H. Bhaktiyog Swami Maharaj as the sole and legitimate Director of Nav Madhuban Ashram, Rishikesh.
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Under the leadership and guidance of Sri Bhaktiyog Swami, besides preaching, the following objects and activities came to be carried out at Nav Madhuban Ashram, Rishikesh, in the spirit and tradition established by Srila Prabhupada:
1. Yearly Rath Yatra;
2. Yearly Janmashtami and other religious programmes;
3. Medical camps in remote areas of Uttarakhand;
4. Distribution of school uniforms and notebooks to poor and needy children;
5. Daily pooja, archana, and bhog seva.
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1990-93 | A Guru's Desire starts to Manifest
Srila Prabhupada's desire and Srila Bhaktipada's vision started to manifest, and soon a beautiful and majestic Temple started to take shape through the efforts of Bhakiyog Swami Maharaj.
But the journey wasn't easy. We have countless accounts from so many people who used to say that Maharaj ji managed with extremely meagre resources but did the best possible in the service of Krishna.
Over the years, he used to preach and distribute books. The struggle for money to build this temple was enormous. We have a wonderful account of the contractor of this Ashram, where one of the partners was a muslim. He was so moved by Maharaj ji's dedication that he himself collected donations so that the work wouldn't stop.
With the blessings of his Guru and Krishna, Bhaktiyog Maharaj was gradually able spread his preaching efforts to several cities of North India, including cities of Delhi, Gurgaon, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Paonta Sahib, Chirawa, etc. spreading Harinaam and the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as propagated by Srila Prabhupada.
1993 | Three Trustees of INVET - viz. Dr. Ravi Khatanhar, Sh. N.D. Desai, and Sh. Hrishikesh Mafatlal - started making allegations and showing distrust against their Guru, Srila Bhaktipada. They later renounced Srila Bhaktipada as their Guru.
1988-89 | Bhaktiyog Maharaj's Mission
Despite the unpleasant events that were unfolding, the persistent efforts of Bhaktiyog Swami Maharaj started bearing fruit, and the property at Kailash Gate, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand (where the ashram stands today) was purchased in January 1988.
H.H. Bhaktiyog Swami Maharaj personally managed the entire purchase for the construction of the ashram and temple for Their Lordships Sri Radha Krishna. He single-handedly laid the foundation of the Temple by organising the necessary funds and constructing the following: a three-storey Sr SriRadhaGovindji Temple; a 25-room Guest House; a Restaurant for devotees; and a Gaushala - together known as "Nav Madhuban Ashram".
Our Sacred Journey
A Chronicle of the establishment of Madhuban Ashram - the trials & tribulations
1986-87 | Srila Bhaktipada's Wish
Srila Bhaktipada created a public charitable trust in Mumbai, India, viz. ISKCON New Vrindavan East Trust (INVET) with the intent to raise an Ashram at Rishikesh in accordance with the desire of his Guru.
Everyone was apprehensive that Rishikesh already had so many ashrams and temples, and the scope of preaching and building a new temple was limited.
However, the heart of our spiritual master H.H. Bhaktiyog Swami Maharaj (then known as Raktak Das) was filled with the desire of his Guru, Srila Bhaktipada, and he had little place for doubts. He came to Rishikesh with no material resources, but only his faith in his Guru and Krishna to build the temple at Rishikesh. He made his spiritual master's desire his mission.
While Bhaktiyog Maharaj was striving to build the temple, parallel events were happening in the United States and Mumbai.
The fact that Srila Bhaktipad was the leader of such a huge New Vrindavan community was not going well with a lot of sections in West Virginia and the United States.
A way to bring down such a leader was to involve him in a legal battle that would force him to renounce his position. The other GBCs of ISKCON evicted Srila Bhaktipada from ISKCON in the year 1987. Soon after, the entire New Vrindavan community was expelled.
May 1977 | Srila Prabhupada's Desire
H.D.G. AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the Founder Acharya of ISKCON visits Rishikesh and expresses his desire for setting up a Vaishnav center dedicated to practicing and promoting Bhakti Yoga there to his disciples.
H.D.G. Kirtanananda Swami Srila Bhaktipada, one of the first disciples of Srila Prabhupada, remembered this desire of his Guru and wanted to fulfill it by building a temple at Rishikesh.
Srila Bhaktipada was popularly called the most charismatic spiritual leader in ISKCON. He was a member of the ISKCON GBC and had a huge following who recognized him as Guru after Srila Prabhupada. He started a huge farm-based community of devotees called New Vrindavan in West Virginia spread over 5000 acres, and built the 'Palace of Gold', also called the Taj Mahal of the West for Srila Prabhupada there.
The Ashram's Legacy
Since its establishment, Madhuban Ashram has served as a beacon of spiritual enlightenment through Bhakti Yoga, Harinaam Sankirtan and social service. Our journey began with a single vision to create a sanctuary where the ancient wisdom of Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition meets the needs of the present day Vaishnava devotees.
Over the years, we have grown from a modest gathering of seekers into a thriving center for spiritual pursuit and charitable outreach. Our impact has been felt across the region, as we continue to uphold the values of compassion, service, and spiritual growth for all.