Community

New Vrindaban Community Hosts First Open House At Palace Of Gold

NEW VRINDABAN - Practicing Krishnas living in the New Vrindaban community want the outside public to know who they are and what they are about.

On Sunday, they celebrated 60 years of The International Society of Krishna Consciousness by hosting their first open house there.

"We are desperately trying to attract mostly locals, who have lived here most of their lives in Moundsville and Wheeling. But they may never have been here or know much about us," explained "Mirabai," who lived her secular life as Mira Marsico.

Today she leads the administrative offices at New Vrindaban.

Mirabai realizes many remember the criminal happenings at New Vrindaban occurring nearly 40 years ago, and that it presents a challenge to attracting the community's interest.

"There is some miscommunication about that still exists, especially among elderly people," she said. "I understand that.

"We're trying to show people that was a long time ago, and this is who we are. There is an impression that we are a cult, and that's not true at all."

A very large crowd turned out for the open house, with cars filling the parking lots and surrounding area. There were about 1,000 responses from people on Facebook indicating they planned to attend.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to take in ISKON song and meditation, get their palm read, try on Indian saris or even take a ride in an oxen cart. There was Indian food - no meat, and opportunities to tour the Palace of Gold. Elsewhere, there were performances on stage, henna tattoos and activities for children.

"It's non-threatening. It's not about religion. We're just showing this is what we are," Mirabai said. "We have many cultures visit here every week. But they are mostly Indian or Nepalese, so they already grew up knowing about Krishna consciousness.

"There is Hindi, Catholic, Jewish ... but we don't identify that way. It's about how you live your life. That's the most important thing. It's not that you have to change your religion."

But you do have to follow the rules or regulative principles of ISKON, she noted. These are based on “ayurveda,” an ancient system of traditional medicine from India that focuses on balancing the body, mind, and spirit to promote overall health. Those practicing the philosophy refrain from eating such things as meat, eggs or garlic and many other spices.

It is believed these food items "make you angry," according to Mirabai.

"It's a way of living life that's about what you eat, how you exercise and how you live your life," she said. "The things we do are calming and loving, and we aspire to live our lives that way."

Mirabai, 75, shared her own story of how she came to live at New Vrindaban.

She is originally from Philadelphia, and spent many years married and raising a family in Minneapolis. She attended Christian churches. Mirabai worked as an executive assistant, and she later was an entrepreneur opening such businesses as a flower shop and a tea room.

At the age of 68, she learned she had cancer and she had to close the tea room.

"I was missing something," Mirabai said. "I grew up in the Roman Catholic culture and had come to the conclusion that God was kind of distant and kind of scary. I was searching for a personal connection."

She had successful cancer surgery, and is free of cancer today. But it was during her convalescence that she did some soul searching.

Mirabai was introduced to the Krishna philosophy in Minneapolis, and began attending a temple there.

"I was the only white person there," she said. "But I found my life and realized this is where I belong."

Each year the temple took a trip to New Vrindaban, and Mirabai said she became very excited about going in 2020. Then the COVID pandemic hit, and the trip was canceled.

She nevertheless made arrangements to still come to the community for a 10-day stay.

"After three days of the 10, I knew this was where I belonged," Mirabai said.

She went home to tell her family she was moving to New Vrindaban, and then came to live there. Today, she has her own home that she shares with two other women. Family members do come to visit her on occasion.

Her managerial skills were put to use in the administrative offices, and she also tends to the flower gardens on the compound.

"I'm healthy, and I feel fantastic," Mirabai said. "I'm here for a while to do good things. We sing and dance every day. How can you not be happy?"