Bhaktivedanta Manor marked the start of a new chapter in its history on Friday 10th June, as the groundbreaking ceremony for the long awaited Haveli building was led by UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
A reception of over 300 people, including MP for Hertsmere Oliver Dowden, Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State Shailesh Vara, local councillors and friends of the Manor, was held in a marquee over the spot where the new Shree Krishna Haveli will be built.
After being shown around the Manor, the Prime Minister spoke the following of the founder of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Srila Prabhupada, who established Bhaktivedanta Manor: "...if only he had lived to see what the Manor has become; a mock Tudor country house donated by a Beatle, serving as a hub of worship, celebration and selflessness."
The Prime Minister also congratulated ISKCON on its 50th anniversary, joking that he too will celebrate his 50th birthday this year.
He went on to say: "I look at what you have done in the past fifty years and I think how much you can achieve in the next fifty. In fact, the next half century begins right now as we begin building the new Krishna Haveli, and I'm delighted to be putting the first tool in the ground."
Srutidharma Das, Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor thanked the Prime Minister for attending, and spoke of the important role of the Haveli and the need to "promote the spiritual values of tolerance, kindness... we at Bhaktivedanta Manor aim to embody these principles at large."
Speaking about the Haveli, Managing Director of Bhaktivedanta Manor Gauri Das said: "This is a historic time for the Manor. The Haveli fulfils the needs of the Temple, respects the concerns of the local village and received full support from Hertsmere Council. It is a profound honour that the Prime Minister has put the first spade in the ground."
