Alachua (was Nalinikanta and Ratnesvari), how did it get started? Options

[Tapati]

I lost touch with Nalinikanta and Ratnesvari. Does anyone know where they ended up? For the longest time they were in L.A. on Canfield Street and then they moved at some point in the 80s and I lost touch. I felt bad because I had some astrology tapes I was to return to him, I procrastinated, and then couldn't find him.

I last saw him in 1985 at the SF Rathayatra.

[angrezi]

I lost touch with Nalinikanta and Ratnesvari. Does anyone know where they ended up? For the longest time they were in L.A. on Canfield Street and then they moved at some point in the 80s and I lost touch. I felt bad because I had some astrology tapes I was to return to him, I procrastinated, and then couldn't find him.

I last saw him in 1985 at the SF Rathayatra.

They live in Alachua. They used to have an apartment in LA too. But I know they live in Alachua last I heard. If you want I will give you his e-mail in a pm.

[Tapati]

Oh, wonderful! Please do so I may offer my humble apologies to him for not returning his tapes! They were masters of astrology classes he had given.

[Tapati]

I am curious how Alachua became a gathering place for so many devotees? It sounds like many non-ISKCON devotees have gathered there to live near each other. Why Alachua? Did someone start it off deliberately and others liked what they did and followed?

[angrezi]

I think its partly the weather...some think it's a reprieve from the winters of the nether regions. Perhaps it's the low barometric pressure that counteracts the high cranial pressure of most aspiring Iskconite neoHindus that is the main attracting feature...Maybe its a bit calming for them. Perhaps they grow prize-winning weed like I hear grows at other Isk. farm communities...

[Tapati]

I guess growing weed is easier than "the pick."

But is Alachua mainly NON iskcon devotees or a bit of both kinds or ???

Did it start around a temple there?

[Milla]

Here is some info about Alachua from http://www.iskcon.com/worldwide/centres_detail/alachua.html:

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Brief details of centre
The Alachua Krishna Community consists of a large variety of devotees, friends of devotees, and congregational members.

The Temple farm property is partitioned into different areas. Approximately fifteen acres is set aside for the Temple building, Tulasi house, offices, a sewing room, a store, cow barn, storage barn and a few temple-owned residences. The rest of the 127-acre tract provides space for two schools, Back to Godhead magazine, Bhaktivedanta Institute, the Krishna Community Fund, Community and Youth Center, and a few private, devotee-owned homes. The remaining land is pasture for the Lord's cows.

The Temple building is modest in size with a large, pillared veranda on all sides. Surrounded by a troop of stately Oak trees, the Temple is graced with a spacious lawn and is prefaced with an ornate, impressive Italian style fountain.

This is only Phase One of the planned complex of facilities, which includes a Prasadam and Culture Hall and a network of brick walkways, all laid out in perfect vastu order.

2002 was the 25th Anniversary of New Raman Reti. On the day that Srila Prabhupada passed away, 16 November 1977, the contract was signed to purchase this 127 acre tract of land in Alachua County.

Deities: Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai , Lord Nrsmhadeva
Installed: September 5th 2000

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I heard from someone, don't remember anymore from whom, that at one point grihasthas with children started to move in the area because of the low property prices. I think Kirtiraja was very involved in promoting Alachua and attracting more families to it, but don't know why the BTG and the Bhaktivedanta Institute also moved there. At present, there are all kinds of devotees living there, some strict and some very lax, but all are in some way ISKCON-minded and loyal to Prabhupada. There are some ex-Swamis and ex-GBC's living there too as ordinary folks. I remember something about ritviks and poison-vadis in Alachua, but to many Prabhupada disciples, to be a ritvik is not a deviation.

You can see the community's website here and can also check out the their newsletter (click on Alachua Krishna Community News). I have friends who lived there for a couple of years and they liked it a lot. The community is very big, so there is place for everyone. The festivals are nice, with 500-1000 devotees the kirtans are always good. There also are many New Agers living in the area.

[0Oneiros0]

I wonder if the move to Alachua by Hare Krishnas is in some way comparable to the move of other sects to small towns, such as in the case of the End Timers (see here)?

[angrezi]

I guess growing weed is easier than "the pick."

But is Alachua mainly NON iskcon devotees or a bit of both kinds or ???

Did it start around a temple there?

It is mainly Iskcon, no doubt, but there exists as well a very active group of Narayan Maharaj followers (he visits there periodically) as well as some followers of Kripalu, and I'm sure others.

The property was bought in 1977, and for years, even up to the 1990's the 'temple' was a converted trailer. When I got initiated there that was still the temple...a double-wide with Gaur-Nitai installed. The other deities were installed in the new temple. Back when I was a starry-eyed recruit in 1990 or so, there were not so many families there. I think the non-viablility of other farm communities and temples on the eastern seaboard led to many older devotees ending up there, as well as the fact the farm was somewhat loosely connected with the GBC.

I was present when some farm folks had it out with Hridayananda G. (the demoted zone-acarya for there ) about the fact they were tired of the GBCs trying to be the overlords there and they didn't want them screwing up the Alachua farm like they did everywhere else in the US. In fact it was a running joke back then that the farm was a haven for blooped gurus, disgruntled former bigwigs, and ritviks...

Now all kinds of devotees live there. Many people I know who used to live in Vrindavan wound up there too the past few years. It's cheap (reletively), there is a good university nearby, and it is close to several major cities.

[0Oneiros0]

Do you live there, Angrezi?

[angrezi]

Do you live there, Angrezi?

No, its not my style ...

I live about 2 hours away from there though, just because Florida is my ancestral homeland ...

[metamorphosis]

I know this is above, but I have always been a part of this community, since atleast the late 80's though living very far away. Many many friends live here, and when I can I stop in for sunday feast, and darshana. This is a cool site, with many devotee adds for business along the side. One thing that has always attracted me to this particular temple, is the way they treat the youth. The youth are a very important part, many times running things, and leading. That is the way it should be in any temple, but as far as I can see only done here.....


alachua community news

Alachua Women’s Retreat - June 1-3

In celebration and support for all of the services and contributions of the women devotees of the New Raman Reti Community

Spa Day in Hari Puja’s Garden
Wednesday, June 1 3:00 - 9:30 pm
Massage, Facials, Yoga, Water Exercise, Relaxation, Drumming, Bonfire, & much, more.
Please bring a “health conscious’ pot luck dish, bathing suit, towel, and drums (for drumming circle) and contributions for masseurs.

Vrindavana Forest in Ananga’s Garden
Thursday, June 2 (Ekadasi)


3:00 - 5:00 pm Swimming

6:00 - 9:30 pm An Invitation for Women to Bring their Dieties for Beautiful Bhajans, Reading, and Sharing.

Please bring your Dieties, flowers, Vaisnava songbooks, instruments, an Ekadasi potluck dish and a Nectar of Instruction or a First Canto: The Story of Narada Muni. We can also use Diety Swings or tables.

Day At the Springs
Friday, June 3

10:00 am Meet at Santa Fe Outpost for canoeing. Those who wish to canoe should bring $12.50 per person, a suit and towel, and prasadam.

2:00 pm Devotees will meet at Poe Springs.

PS If you are planning to canoe, please RSVP to Sudharma dasi at (386) 462-2306

For further information please contact Sudharma dasi at 386-462-2306 OR Nirmala dasi at 386-418-4645.



http://www.iskcon.net/alachua/

[Tapati]

drum circle? sounds very pagan.

It sounds nice and no pressure--as it ought to be.

[Preyobrazhenya]

drum circle? sounds very pagan.

It sounds nice and no pressure--as it ought to be.

It also sounds like a good time!

[metamorphosis]

Yeah! It sounds so nice, I wish I could have crashed it! But alas it has already happened.

Nothing like a good drum circle to bring on the good spirits!

the website brought on so much sentimental feeling that i had to call my friend who owns land there, and farms. we talked for sometime, he is in transition, and offered me his wife if I wanted! But after calling her Mother since I was in my early twenties, I don't think that would work out!

[Homer]

Yeah! It sounds so nice, I wish I could have crashed it! But alas it has already happened.

Nothing like a good drum circle to bring on the good spirits!

the website brought on so much sentimental feeling that i had to call my friend who owns land there, and farms. we talked for sometime, he is in transition, and offered me his wife if I wanted!  But after calling her Mother since I was in my early twenties, I don't think that would work out!

Hey! You could always accept the offer and trade her in for a more suitable mate!

Just don't check her teeth in front of the gift-giver!

Maybe you should even stoop to asking her what she wants? Or is this un-Vedic?

[0Priya0]

Hari Bolo I am new here but it what's cool that you are talking abaut alachua . I am living in Spain but my husband join in LA and tooh initiation with Srila Prabhupada and we are looking for long time a nice place to move with nice open-minded devotees. Also have a daughter of 16 she is in the Gurukulis page as Viria and she would like to go to a place in which she can have good asociation god university etc.

I would like to have as much info as posible, thanks to everybody in advance

[0Priya0]

Olso i will like to get in touch with some of the New Mayapura Gurukulis from the 79 to the 85 Gourangi Radha Priya etc i am Priya Sakhi dd it will be niceto contac with some of you guys . Some body nows something of Rasa Manjari She is Srila Prabhupada disciples i now here from Europe and India She whas marry whit Damodara Pandit and she has 3 kids Govinda Raja Bijay Krsna ans Krsna Balarama if somebody knows somthng i will like to get in contact . Hari Bolo

[0Priya0]

Hy again who you do to put pitcher in the name thanks Hari Bolo

[Tapati]

Hy again who you do to put pitcher in the name thanks Hari Bolo

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