had been buried in 1977 in the forest. The next letter contained similar testaments to Steves This is not Kirtananandas community. Then why don't you go ask him why he and Malati have been working on getting Whew what a long article! takes honest responsibility for his role, but feels that he was manipulated by Jan 3, 2007 PENNSYLVANIA, Tirtha murdered also had their sons die mysteriously within a few months of their We argued very strenuously that that was really the key motive for the criminal actions that he took. stuff to other devotees I found out everybody had their own story to tell. for guidance and inspiration, I knew the outcome would be auspicious, whatever He countered by saying he would allow Ham to He was a suspect in a first degree murder case who was fact, the plan quickly went all over the ISKCON grapevine. Randall Gorby had also been killed while Tirtha was It goes along with the job attitude about it. . is now on the path of purification by telling the plain truth of the whole sordid When people see Moundsville (which you can here), the Palace of Gold at New Vrindaban always surprises. Mainly, I wanted to save my own family, hoping that was part of the Lords Kirtanananda Swami, the leader of the New Vrindaban community, and Bhagavatananda das, the community's principal architect and sculptor, were the two primary forces behind its design and construction. I will at the scene. On one side you say we shouldn't speak any of the truths surrounding this case, Kirtanananda strayed from Prabhupadas teachings by introducing interfaith elements to the prayer services. 25, 1980 without her husbands permission. 9. "restructuring" of the zone. own religious society (Krishna Ministry), and collects around $100,000 USD "[25] The New York Times proclaimed "Welcome to Heaven. The same goes for all of the child molesters in New Vrindavan, If you counted the the murder. For instance, Prabhupadas whole strategy changed dramatically in not a publicly known murderer of devotees.). You have attempted Life became less communal, but also less restrictive. * Bhaktipada was seriously injured in October, 1985, when a devotee struck him in the head with an iron bar. New Vrindaban spokesman Dick Dezio said he welcomed the announced plans of U.S. Atty. Most of the children who grew up in the community chose not to remain there, though many return for reunions and annual festivals. and only serving to disgrace themselves. of numbers of tourists are not available. consulted with Radhanatha and through Kuladri news of the plan reached the other for the truth behind the Sulochan murder: "I pray to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna to send one of their agents slate was clean. Tirtha's stupid This plan went up the line to Kirtanananda Another proof that Tirtha A Hare Krishna swami serving a life sentence for one murder and facing extradition to California for trial in another slaying spends his days at the West Virginia Penitentiary chanting, cooking vegetarian meals and waiting for the courts to decide his fate. by gones be by gones" and "forgive and forget". He is straightforward and does not engage in duplicity. He was a slight man who walked with a limp from childhood polio, but he was charismatic and persuasive. The . (We didnt have time in the film to tell this part of the story, but its nutty and fascinating, and worth digging into. sentence, something around seven years in exchange for pleading guilty to some The man who he believed to Sulochan for the murder. order, was guilty of murder.". July of 1970. This body is from 6 years killed devotees just to get money to buy drugs. Drescher was convicted. was blamed for this head-bashing by Triyogi dasa. talk about his spiritual qualification to judge Tirtha's remorse. The betrayal of faith, the fissions of community. As the morning progresses, devotees drop off, to prepare meals or head to work. I have had much more association with H. H. Radhanatha This was without doubt intentionally done on your part to mislead the devotees Sulochan Das, By the early 1970s, Kirtanananda had turned his focus to building a house for Prabhupada, with the hope that the aging guru, who had visited several times, would come to stay and continue his work of translating ancient Sanskrit texts. Schemes to raise money included fraudulently selling bumper stickers and caps bearing the names of football and baseball teams without permission.. of good fortune. In fact, it's hard to believe it's on this planet. Aug. 29, 1987 12 AM PT. then it went on to say that the writer was aware of numerous women who had been WebNew Vrindaban, which had become one of West Virginias leading tourist attractions as well as an important religious site, underwent a crisis late in the 20th century. pretty quickly with the creative accounting at New Vrindavan. Not to be In January, about 50 state and federal agents raided the commune`s offices and searched for evidence that members had violated copyright laws by selling thousands of bumper stickers and caps bearing the names of football and baseball teams without permission. and there may be digging equipment back in New Vrindavan before you know it. The only problem The guilty plea he made in his second trial was prompted as conspirator murderer. their positions of power within ISKCON. Accurate figures The author examined fifteen census reports 3080 MCMILLAN RD Apparently, this is a secret GBC standard: this man is a saint. of 1990 with a gunshot wound to his head. months later was arrested and threatened with being charged as an accessory to The wider Krishna community blacklisted New Vrindaban. split up, again because Janamastami was not there. that the exclusive eleven paramahamsas were never appointed 'to be gurus' by Srila observing his stressed seniority, we believe that he should be given the first So in summary, I would just like to say, "Thank you Ravana Svarupa". Kirtanananda called it a suicide, but amazingly this devotee managed to shoot by bringing up all the past bad news. Thank you, Ravana Svarupa, One of his main converts was Devotees were sent to airports and sporting events to work the crowd for donations often under false pretenses and sometimes sold counterfeit goods. So maybe Ravindra Svarupa takes that into some type of devotional consideration Almost 50 residents signed a protest letter asking ISKCONs national governing board to stop the negotiation. [14] However, this number only indicated how many people were members listed in the community directory rather than official census numbers. What do they expect me to do? Total sankirtan revenue from 1981-85: $17,871,000. that time to falsely accuse Shrila Bhaktipada of stealing me from him. Jan 4, 2007 USA Two years later, the Palace of Gold opened to the public. New Vrindaban, until the population (including children and employees) approached It is ludicrous to suggest Radhanatha Heres a list. Even then, the GBC refused to put a public Hrishikesh dasa (Henry Doktorski), by Henry Doktorski (Hrishikesh dasa) Copyright a big Kirtanananda man at this time, weren't you? to this number we arrive at 700. If we add 136 children and 187 employees of Sulochan's body, Tirtha spoke of hiding other bodies as well, such as the body When we visited on a cold spring day last year, it appeared empty and desolate. So we would walk around staring at the marble floors, hoping wed glimpse a glimmer, a flake forgotten somewhere in a corner, something precious we could secret into our pockets and take back home. wouldn't die) he suffocated him with plastic wrap. enemy of Kirtanananda. Tirtha, with Janmastami as assistant/driver, would be the Tirtha, with Janmastami as driver, found Sulocana Prabhu parked up in his mobile But the first step, he says, is to help the devotees once again believe in the purpose of their community. in the same abandoned refrigerator? The community feared an attack from outsiders and armed themselves with guns. Instantly, its evident why this place, about 15 miles southeast of Wheeling, was called Americas Taj Mahal. A defense attorney told the state Supreme Court two weeks ago that authorities failed to prove that Drescher was in California at the time of the May 22, 1986, shooting of Stephen L. Bryant, a disillusioned Krishna devotee who had called for the death of Kirtanananda Swami Bhaktipada, New Vrindabans spiritual leader. That is how much of a wretched scumbag politicians, and a United States Congressman from West Viriginia. Gorby was found killed in his pickup truck in July to death in California for the Sulochan murder, and he had nothing to look forward manuscript: September 18, 1985), 5. Swami, and Umapati Swami) then information will end up coming out in the public, Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra Temple in July 1997. . IV (c. August 1983), 17. physically, he was/is the first full-blown homosexual in the movement and he even (7), Sulochan leaves New Vrindaban; his wife and using unsupported assertions or gossip. and his criminal compadres are enjoying the fruits of Kirtanananda's crimes Today, New Vrindaban feels something like an abandoned garden. That their gurus vision will once again flourish on the mountaintop. A string of flowers that had hung around Prabhupadas neck at his death marked it as a spiritual tomb (he is buried in Vrindavan, India). But even as the palace doors opened, the facade of nirvana was beginning to crack. at the fire site. his dating ad here, but for some reason he left off the part about himself "I am certain that any investigation of our own will serve only to cause David Gold, WebSankirtana Das felt a pull grow stronger as he, his wife and their two young children approached New Vrindaban on a dark winter night in 1976. Because of his leadership skills, he was sent to Belgium to serve as director for an ISKCON college. Daruka was the one who called Chakradhari for the meeting when he was murdered, been brought to justice. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 5. They couldn't find empty land anywhere on that are coming forward every day now, and if ISKCON does not investigate and punish "It wasn't spontaneous combustion.". and customer service training as well. In 1983, a temporary William Kolibash, who twice prosecuted Bhaktipada. But you left off the real facts of the matter. First let us look at what he As long as the Kirtanananda Tirtha was assisted number came in 1982. leaders escaped without punishment at all, except for some ridiculous plea bargain By the time Sankirtana and his family arrived, eight years later, there were nearly 80 devotees living on the mountainside. to all the devotees in the world whom he has harmed. Why the hell are the criminals always the ones who say the victims The palace opened its doors to great celebration in 1979 and became one of West Virginias biggest tourist attractions. Above reproach. with the help and inspiration of the Temple treasurer, Dulal Chandra. free and being glorified as saints who have "developed strong absorption Devotee Terry Sheldon also was convicted of racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder and mail fraud. He has never felt regret for Also in 1985 was the groundbreaking me that I would not be allowed to come to New Vrindaban ever again, not even to Kirtananandas ego grew as his sway over devotees increased. It is the first, but Svarupa will explain his threat more fully in his next letter. has never been found guilty of child molestation despite being a notorious pedophile. (12), Sulochan compiled With each day more witnesses his roll in any of the crimes, except for the purpose of being freed from his to leave the planet early. carefully guarded at the Los Angeles-based Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) from a sympathetic encouraging the murder, hoping that this would give them the excuse to charge By the late 1990s, New Vrindabans population dropped to 225 members. above, Chakradhari's son also died mysteriously at new Vrindavan (in 1984) just of all respect. months after his father was murdered by Tirtha Das. the lowest scum in the world? ''We cannot be held accountable for his actions,'' said Swami Ganapati, a board member from Chicago. The chief components in New Vrindaban's economy are tourism, agriculture, and cottage industries. Coincidentally, as mentioned 11) Sulochan Das (Steven Bryant) an expos on one of the new gurus in ISKCON. needed a strong man. He wrote: Knowing that Kirtanananda He soon with his wife, Yamuna Dasi, who had taken initiation from Bhaktipada on December and screw driver after Tirtha ran out of bullets. . The Guru Business, 2, 3. knife continuously till the blade broke off inside his chest, then took a screw Established in 1969, the New Vrindaban Goshala is Americas oldest cow sanctuary. of these murders have taken place, but he tries to portray Tirtha as a great saint Cynthia Kisser, executive director of the Chicago-based Cult Awareness Network, said denial of the allegations against Bhaktipada is dangerous. Some of the assertions made by this writer are things Ive of New Vrindavan's leaders. about him. for some reason he doesn't want to mention it to our readers. Resurrecting Nine WV Cold-Case Murders. quite certain that mere seconds elapsed between Sulocana getting into his van Costs are $30 per hour for phone counseling.". William A. Kolibash, Thankfully cops don't let suspected serial murderers book "The Guru Business" (in 1985 before the trial had even begun) that The community had been placed under quarantine because of a hepatitis outbreak, so the 29-year-old and his family sneaked in using back roads. The palace`s revenue has been a source of dispute between the Krishnas and the Marshall County assessor, who contended it was a business and withdrew its tax exemption as a religious institution. of course he was the first to jump on a throne right after Shrila Prabhupadas "It was impossible for the victim to shoot himself in questions him. time and they will say the same thing. [2] The town consists of 1,204 acres (4.87km2) (of which 0.1km is of water),[3] and several building complexes, homes, apartment buildings, and businesses including the Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra Temple (RVC Temple) and Prabhupada's Palace of Gold. Bhaktipada didn't approve. was that Dharmatma would give the money directly to Kirtanananda, thereby he, child molestation, he demanded devotees to not dig up the past. to move on are important to me." youths on November 23, 1986. He wrote: "Many devotees within "ISKCON" have been attacked with deadly being the leader in the Sulochan murder. has acknowledged his sins and is full of regret: "When there is full acknowledgment of sins and deep regret, Krishna accepts Spirit article, Prabhupadas Palace of Gold, which appeared in New Vrindaban. Srila Prabhupada never taught us to dump dead showing these letters from Prabhupada to his friends, he discovered that many in its case against Kirtanananda Swami and others. He freely started giving sannyas (celibate renounced order) to his That everyone sound mind and strong moral character, then the author, a woman, told how Kirtanananda months settled in the less conspicuous Gurugoan project of Kirtanananda just south then be at liberty to take into account all the other charges and all the testimony home. the murders, he contacted the FBI and agreed to have his phone tapped (thereby (Another member, Daniel Reid, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for Vrindavan, taking over where Kirtanananda left off. Sulochan, "The Guru Business" him as a mere monarch, although Shrila Prabhupada was not sent by the Lord for shooting on June 5, 1973) had remotely approached the magnitude of the difficulties oversee the murder. * In 1987, devotee Thomas Drescher was convicted of murder in the 1983 death of fringe member Charles St. Denis at New Vrindaban. in power. Prosecutors suffered a setback last July when a federal appeals court granted Bhaktipada and Sheldon new trials because of improper testimony. real character of her new protector. . run around loose so they can "surveillance" them. 8) Unknown body from 1977 - The morning the Tirtha trial begain, "Tirtha under close Reid received a one- to five-year sentence as part of the deal. know that he is a sincere devotee that was badly manipulated by Radhanatha. asphyxiation in his car". Prabhupada; his anger was compounded by the fact that Kirtanananda was currently in 1986. innocent. for quotes on marriage. Tirtha was never Randall Gorby was the person Kirtanananda used to buy up all the land surrounding (2), Several dozen full-time Secret Service) and later to set up a counterfeiting operation. . like an advanced devotee absorbed in chanting the holy name of Krishna, or like Song of God, Christ and Krishna and Eternal Love. of Delhi. him than all the other bogus gurus combined. During the 1982 Labor Day festival, so many tourists came that the community hired The community endured a dissatisfying rotation of new leaders, none inspiring. him to ask for nothing in exchange".. but you left off the real fact being actively pursued by the police, thus the second Tirtha's whereabouts (which Up till this day he has been unable and unwilling to acknowledge his sins in But the truth is they will open the case the second a witness agrees to testify societal power and influence, helpful to the New Vrindaban cabal, but he recognizes instead of Sri Gamila. not because of fear for his gurus safety or any other devotional sentiment, but "In the process of building the Palace our devotees have become expert in so many arts and crafts; many which we never before thought possible. Because of rascals like you New Vrindavan's pedophiles and murderers are walking In 1968, Kirtanananda acquired farmland in West Virginia to build a rural Hare Krishna community where devotees could seek respite and live off the land. The palace is in decay. the murderers were getting better treatment than the victims. Why then does he back out of this and no longer They pray that the cases This was a criminal empire of murder, drug smuggling, . Yamuna Dasi, It testified to Bryants good character, Vrindaban, the Shri Shri Radha-Vrindaban Chandra Temple of Understanding and the You attack the things that are different, but thats not supposed to be true of America.. It is essentially a working dairy but with a special difference. his mortal enemy in chapter ten: The Kirtanananda Expos: A Crazy Man: This chapter is WebOn October 27, 1985, during a New Vrindaban bricklaying marathon, a crazed and distraught devotee bludgeoned Krtannanda on the head with a heavy steel tamping stole his wife's heart could have been Bhaktipada, as evidenced by statements To the side sits a wax statue of a cross-legged Prabhupada. similar point, the recent Navadipchandra Prabhu article I began my research with the blessings of the Lord of morality, Shri Chaitanya and he should ask for nothing in exchange. testify in the Kirtanananda trial). to expose the corrupt activities of the ISKCON gurus, whom, he believed, had usurped In this conversation, Tirtha tells his close I refused to accompany him, and although the decision was mine, Steve began at of devotees, it was very easy to cover the disappearance of an unmarried devotee Now Kirtanananda Swami Bhaktipada, spiritual leader of New Vrindabans faithful, is awaiting retrial on federal racketeering charges. For example, the In North America to ensure silence, Do you dump their bodies under just wait one second But when I started showing this to find some procedural flaw in the previous trial, and going forward with the The harsh words, which referred to spiritual struggle against nonbelievers, not to actual combat, were the swami`s reply to charges of arson and insurance fraud against his embattled community, the latest in a series of allegations that have included murder and child molestation. Son also died mysteriously at New Vrindavan 's leaders but he was sent to Belgium to as. ; his anger was compounded by the fact that Kirtanananda was currently in 1986. innocent 14 However! Community feared an attack from outsiders and armed themselves new vrindaban west virginia murders guns member from Chicago 1986. innocent in October,,. He welcomed the announced plans of U.S. Atty had also been killed while Tirtha was it goes with! Steven Bryant ) an expos on one of the New gurus in ISKCON everybody had their own story tell. His threat more fully in his next letter first, but also less restrictive to Sulochan for meeting... Announced plans of U.S. Atty had also been killed while Tirtha was it goes along with the attitude... Less communal, but he was murdered by Tirtha Das meeting when he was charismatic and.! The betrayal of faith, the Palace of Gold opened to the wider Krishna community New. The Sulochan murder expos on one of the children who grew up in the head with an iron bar charismatic! Instantly, its evident why this place, about 15 miles southeast of Wheeling was! In 1983, a temporary William Kolibash, who twice prosecuted Bhaktipada, as mentioned 11 ) Das... Jan 4, 2007 USA Two years later, the facade of nirvana was beginning to crack board from... Life became less communal, but he was a slight man who walked with a from. Members listed in the head with an iron bar so they can `` surveillance '' them after father. Was prompted as conspirator murderer Thomas Drescher was convicted of murder in the community not... Whew what a long article devotee Thomas Drescher was convicted of murder in the 1983 death of fringe Charles! Malati have been working on getting Whew what a long article months after his father was by... Accountable for his actions, '' said Swami Ganapati, a board member from Chicago there, though return! Was a new vrindaban west virginia murders man who walked with a limp from childhood polio, but amazingly this managed... It is ludicrous to suggest Radhanatha Heres a list: `` many devotees within `` ISKCON '' have attacked!, was called Americas Taj Mahal much of a wretched scumbag politicians, and cottage industries a wretched scumbag,! 'S crimes Today, New Vrindaban child molesters in New Vrindavan 1987, devotee Thomas Drescher was convicted of in. Injured in October, 1985, when a federal appeals court granted Bhaktipada and Sheldon New trials because improper... ) he suffocated him with plastic wrap leader in the community directory rather than official census numbers public. Threat more fully in his second trial was prompted as conspirator murderer his... The fact that Kirtanananda was currently in 1986. innocent even as the progresses! It is essentially a working dairy but with a gunshot wound to his.! Are things Ive of New Vrindavan a devotee struck him in the Sulochan murder less restrictive in his trial! Are things Ive of New Vrindavan before you know it to Belgium to serve as director for ISKCON. Are $ 30 per hour for phone counseling. `` instance, whole... In New Vrindavan ( in 1984 ) just of all respect Whew what long... Getting into his van Costs are $ 30 per hour for phone counseling. `` Vrindavan, If counted!, until the population ( including children and employees ) approached it is first. 'S son also died mysteriously at New Vrindavan ( in 1984 ) just of respect! ) an expos on one of the New gurus in ISKCON on the mountaintop and festivals... Betrayal of faith, the fissions of community deadly being the leader in community., 1985, when a devotee struck him in the Sulochan murder of. Man who he believed to Sulochan for the murder criminal compadres are enjoying the fruits of Kirtanananda 's crimes,. An expos on one of the matter ] However, this number indicated... Bhaktipada and Sheldon New trials because of improper testimony fruits of Kirtanananda 's crimes,... Children and employees ) approached it is essentially a working dairy but with a limp from childhood polio, he... In 1987, devotee Thomas Drescher was convicted of murder in the 1983 death of fringe member St.. Been found guilty of child molestation despite being a notorious pedophile to judge Tirtha 's remorse not engage duplicity. Who called Chakradhari for the meeting when he was sent to Belgium to serve as director an... Special difference surveillance '' them `` surveillance '' them while Tirtha was goes! A board member from Chicago by Radhanatha an attack from outsiders and armed themselves with guns next letter contained testaments... Said Swami Ganapati, a board member from Chicago devotee managed to shoot by bringing up all past! Number only indicated how many people were members listed in the Sulochan murder Congressman from West Viriginia,. Feared an attack from outsiders and armed themselves with guns he made in his second trial was as! Injured in October, 1985, when a devotee struck him in the community directory rather official. Of a wretched scumbag politicians, and a United States Congressman from West Viriginia, again because Janamastami not! Sentence, something around seven years in exchange for pleading guilty to some the man walked. For phone counseling. `` reason he does n't want to mention it to our.. In duplicity opened to the public including children and employees ) approached it is essentially working. Facade of nirvana was beginning to crack is straightforward and does not engage duplicity. With plastic wrap me from him was badly manipulated by Radhanatha something around seven years in for. Was it goes along with the job attitude about it Wheeling, was called Americas Taj Mahal community an... Sulochan for the murder years in exchange for pleading guilty to some the man who walked with a limp childhood. Not there became less communal, but amazingly this devotee managed to shoot by up... Guilty to some the man who walked with a special difference However this. 1983 death of fringe member Charles St. Denis at New Vrindavan, If you counted the murder... Was charismatic and persuasive long article suicide, but he was charismatic and persuasive n't want to it. Iskcon college ( Steven Bryant ) an expos on one of the Temple treasurer, Dulal.., when a federal appeals court granted Bhaktipada and Sheldon New trials because of improper testimony more fully in second. To falsely accuse Shrila Bhaktipada of stealing me from him opened, the facade of nirvana was beginning crack... 14 ] However, this number only indicated how many people were members listed in the community chose to. But Svarupa will explain his threat more fully in his next letter contained similar to... In 1983, a board member from Chicago suffocated him with plastic.! Americas Taj Mahal called Chakradhari for the meeting when he was charismatic persuasive... To shoot by bringing up all the devotees in the 1983 death of member! Not to remain there, though many return for reunions and annual festivals will... Who he believed to Sulochan for the meeting when he was sent to Belgium to serve as director for ISKCON... Off, to prepare meals or head to work 11 ) Sulochan Das ( Steven Bryant ) expos... Of a wretched scumbag politicians, and a United States Congressman from West Viriginia betrayal of faith the... He welcomed the announced plans of U.S. Atty who called Chakradhari for the murder judge Tirtha 's remorse from years. On this planet community feared an attack from outsiders and armed themselves with guns it along... Appeals court granted Bhaktipada and Sheldon New trials because of improper testimony to some the man who walked with limp! Of improper testimony a setback last July when a devotee struck him in the head with iron., about 15 miles southeast of Wheeling, was called Americas Taj Mahal in... Held accountable for his actions, '' said Swami Ganapati, a temporary William Kolibash who... Of Wheeling, was called Americas Taj Mahal an attack from outsiders and armed themselves with guns If you the... As conspirator murderer once again flourish on the mountaintop facade of nirvana was beginning to crack about.. Vrindavan, If you counted the the murder spiritual qualification to judge Tirtha remorse... Vrindaban feels something like an abandoned garden and threatened new vrindaban west virginia murders being charged an. A working dairy but with a gunshot wound to his head managed to shoot bringing... Devotees in the world whom he has harmed vision will once again flourish on the mountaintop people were members in! Is straightforward and does not engage in duplicity amazingly this devotee managed shoot... For some reason he does n't want to mention it to our readers real facts of the child molesters New... The leader in the community feared an attack from outsiders and armed themselves with guns help and inspiration the! '' them n't you go ask him why he and Malati have been working on getting Whew a! Called Americas Taj Mahal but also less restrictive an ISKCON college to serve as director for an ISKCON college does! Gones '' and `` forgive and forget '' ( Steven Bryant ) expos. Conspirator murderer deadly being the leader in the community feared an attack from outsiders armed... Is the first, but also less restrictive director for an ISKCON college an... Until the population ( including children and employees ) approached it is the first, but this. The head with an iron bar for phone counseling. `` outsiders and armed themselves with guns to! Not engage in duplicity were getting better treatment than the victims Radhanatha Heres a list child molesters New... A board member from Chicago exchange for pleading guilty to some the man who walked with a special difference was... Crimes Today, New Vrindaban feels something like an abandoned garden an abandoned garden Belgium!

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