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February 2, 1977 : Bhuvanesvara

Satsvarupa: Conditions on the ISKCON land in Bhuvanesvara were primitive: two small mud-walled huts with thatched roof. Srila Prabhupada occupied one eight-by-twelve room in one of the cottages, and his servant and secretary stayed just on the other side of the wall. The second small building, about twenty-five feet from Prabhupada's hut, was a tiny temporary temple room. A shabby canvas roof spanned the open area between the two buildings, and Prabhupada's vyasasana was beneath this, arranged so he could lecture at outdoor gatherings.

Srila Prabhupada did not mind the primitive facilities; in fact, he liked them. He felt perfectly at home. Sitting on the outdoor vyasasana, Prabhupada said Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had two favorite places: Bengal and Orissa. And in Orissa (Jagannatha Puri) He spent the last eighteen years of His life. And his own Guru Maharaja was also born here, at Puri. "Now we have got a little place here," he said. "It doesn't matter if it takes time, but slowly but surely we can develop this center. Especially since Bhuvanesvara is going to be the capital of Orissa. In the future many tourists will come to see other attractions of Orissa. Now it is up to the Oriyans to develop this idea."

On February 2, the appearance day of Lord Nityananda, Srila Prabhupada held the cornerstone-laying ceremony. About a thousand people came during the day to take prasadam. Later, Prabhupada discussed with his disciples about how to manage the Bhuvanesvara center. Some of the sannyasis admitted to Prabhupada that they did not see much potential there. "Why not?" questioned Prabhupada. "This is the capital of Orissa. People are coming here. We have to have centers in every town. Even if it is not a big center, some have to work and stay here. Even if the people are coming every night only to eat the kichari, that is also preaching."


Reference: Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta Volume 6 - Satsvarupa dasa Goswami