Palace of Gold and City of God
Saturday, May 10th, 2008
NEW VRINDABAN, Wv – After an hour and twenty some odd minutes of travel through the West Virginia wilderness I came across a little slice of heaven that defies the definition of this highly misunderstood state. I mean, when one thinks of West Virginia a few things come to mind. Mostly trailers, guns and second cousin marriages. West Virginia, like Jersey, really does get a bad rap…only West Virginia doesn’t require you to pay if you want to leave. And that’s why Jersey gets to keep its reign as the hole of America. But I digress, this entry isn’t about my loathing of the Jersey random payout tax, but one of the true surprises found in the rolling mountains of West Virginia.
The Palace of Gold and City of God is a great example of the diversity that can be found on these rolling country roads. It’s home to a group of Krsna devotees…well, not the palace but the grounds are home to a group Krsna devotees. The palace, built for Srila Prabhupada, is quite a site to behold. The exterior is an assortment of black and gold filigrees and carvings of all sorts of sacred animals including peacocks, elephants and two rockin’ green lions that guard the steps to the front door of the palace. I love those lions and have decided that I need a set for the home I will one day own. There are also some great little gazebos to rest your weary feet and take in the beautiful view of West Virginia wilderness.
