Our History
The University Outreach began with the educational institutions in the vicinity of Chembur and Ghatkopar locations in the Mumbai region. A humble beginning began in a small rented apartment near the Somaiya Vidyavihar Campus to cater to nourishing the spiritual quotient of the youth.
It saw a surge of many enquiring youths to flock to our BACE to resolve their curiosity and achieve a sense of self-awareness. Guided counselling and study library helped these youngsters to discover their inner self and expand their hidden potential.
Flocking youth in numbers got us on our toes to add up more space and support to enhance their life journey. The Bhagavad Gita sessions at the newly inaugurated facility with many amenities with dedicated spaces for study, meditation, counselling and luxurious amenities for residential stay. We had the honour of having dignitaries such as His Holiness Radhanath Swami, His Holiness Chandramouli Swami and His Grace Jananivas Das for the inauguration on 28th March 2005. Special mention for His Grace Satyanarayan Das to have supported with availability of the newly developed facility.
Another residential facility was added to the existing one to accommodate the swell, which continues with more than 30 residents staying at any given point. We had the added responsibility of adding even more space for accommodating more youthful energy to channelise. Now, we had the luxury of organising many youth festivals, which became the pivot of youth outreach. More youth from the vicinity find shelter in the spiritual discipline and see light in the principles of Vedic wisdom. The surge is yet to arrive!!
The splurge continues with the merger of two adjacent properties to enable a larger meditation hall, a bigger sanctum santorum for the newly welcomed Deities of Sri Sri Jagannath Baladev Subhadra on the Feb, 5th, 2009 in the presence of globe-trotting Sannyasi, His Holiness Devamrita Swami, who has a degree from Yale University. In midst of many local families who were now introduced to the Gita Message through the City Outreach also made to the mainstream of the Bilvavan Family. Janmashtami festivals were now celebrated in grander ways for the entire city of Ghatkopar and Chembur. The accessibility and compassion were now complete. We had Youth, Families and General Populace now able to access the spiritual offerings from the Bilvavan Bace.
A generation of 8 years of youth outreach, now coupled with 2 years of families outreach, spearheaded by exuberance and leadership of His Grace Krishna Chaitanya Das ballooned into a huge mammoth City Outreach by the way of the famous “Rath Yatra” festival for the city of Ghatkopar. The bugles of spiritual vibrations of chants of Jai Jagannath echoed in the streets of Ghatkopar with thousands attending the festival at the iconic Somaiya Grounds. The ‘Grace’ had now the Vision of ‘More’. FOLK(Friends of Lord Krishna) was another initiative to groom Samskaras in the younger kids, while they were growing up. The integrated approach was bearing fruit in terms of the numbers of people joining the ISKCON movement, along with their friends, acquaintances and families. A seed was planted elsewhere too…in the form of Srila Prabhupada’s vision for ‘Simple Living and High Thinking.
The contribution of Bilvavan wasn’t just limited to the sphere of its vicinity. Rooted in Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, the seed of Varnashram culture were planted in a barren piece of land belonging to one of its well-wishers, A blueprint along with a demonstrable nature retreat with self-sufficiency was in the making in the Karjat region of Raigad District, Maharashtra. The youth under the able leadership of His Grace Anupam Das and His Grace Krishna Chaitanya Das transformed an entire patch of underutilised land to a blooming oasis with more than 150 saplings to be a shelter for humanity.
The mammoth combination of youth, families and rural outreach brought many integral dimensions to the outreach of ISKCON in the view of the Seven Purposes of ISKCON drafted by Srila Prabhupada. Youth programs expanded with more leadership and delegation. Many monks from the ISKCON Chowpatty Temple contributed to the huge success of the burgeoning outreach. This was marked by special blessings of His Holiness Radhanath Swami, who in his inaugural address remarked,” Though this place doesn’t have a dome or a chakra, please don’t underestimate this place. It is a place where all God-given opulence can be utilised to glorify Sri Krishna.” Truly, the prophecy was coming to be true….
The era of national outreach was on the cards with successive marches of Sri Jagannath Rath yatra becoming synonymous with the locals as well as with the Mumbaikars. The Grand “India Rising Festival” was chalked out in 2014, to make a grand entry, enlightening aspirations and awakening of Indians, who were waiting to make their mark in the world, following the footsteps of great Indian Global Leaders. The 5-day festival, on the theme of India’s rise with 150 rural farmers and artisan beneficiaries, exhilarating stage presentations showcasing India’s art and culture, a scintillating grand Altar of Sri Sri Jagannath Baldev Subhadra, along with dozens of celebrities, industry leaders and spiritual personalities, who gave the festival a memorable present and envisioned future. Another seed was planted…the global outreach of India’s wisdom and message to the whole world, banking on the same order which was given by Srila Prabhupada’s own Guru to him back in 1922.
The relentless pursuit of the His Grace Krishna Chaitanya Das for nearing 2 decades, fructified into a blossoming tree with fruits, in reality at the Karjat Farm, and in the lives of more than 2000 youths associated in this journey. The Sadhana, Sanskriti and Samskaras were made the lasting message, which is still guiding those who have been along and those who will co0me along. The Samskaras school along with the Briader Dharmic understanding of Shastras along with its practical applications have become the mainstay of the outreach, along with its existing residential facility, which still shelters many seeking youngsters.
The University Outreach began with the educational institutions in the vicinity of Chembur and Ghatkopar locations in the Mumbai region. A humble beginning began in a small rented apartment near the Somaiya Vidyavihar Campus to cater to nourishing the spiritual quotient of the youth.
It saw a surge of many enquiring youths to flock to our BACE to resolve their curiosity and achieve a sense of self-awareness. Guided counselling and study library helped these youngsters to discover their inner self and expand their hidden potential.
Flocking youth in numbers got us on our toes to add up more space and support to enhance their life journey. The Bhagavad Gita sessions at the newly inaugurated facility with many amenities with dedicated spaces for study, meditation, counselling and luxurious amenities for residential stay. We had the honour of having dignitaries such as His Holiness Radhanath Swami, His Holiness Chandramouli Swami and His Grace Jananivas Das for the inauguration on 28th March 2005. Special mention for His Grace Satyanarayan Das to have supported with availability of the newly developed facility.
Another residential facility was added to the existing one to accommodate the swell, which continues with more than 30 residents staying at any given point. We had the added responsibility of adding even more space for accommodating more youthful energy to channelise. Now, we had the luxury of organising many youth festivals, which became the pivot of youth outreach. More youth from the vicinity find shelter in the spiritual discipline and see light in the principles of Vedic wisdom. The surge is yet to arrive!!
The splurge continues with the merger of two adjacent properties to enable a larger meditation hall, a bigger sanctum santorum for the newly welcomed Deities of Sri Sri Jagannath Baladev Subhadra on the Feb, 5th, 2009 in the presence of globe-trotting Sannyasi, His Holiness Devamrita Swami, who has a degree from Yale University. In midst of many local families who were now introduced to the Gita Message through the City Outreach also made to the mainstream of the Bilvavan Family. Janmashtami festivals were now celebrated in grander ways for the entire city of Ghatkopar and Chembur. The accessibility and compassion were now complete. We had Youth, Families and General Populace now able to access the spiritual offerings from the Bilvavan Bace.
A generation of 8 years of youth outreach, now coupled with 2 years of families outreach, spearheaded by exuberance and leadership of His Grace Krishna Chaitanya Das ballooned into a huge mammoth City Outreach by the way of the famous “Rath Yatra” festival for the city of Ghatkopar. The bugles of spiritual vibrations of chants of Jai Jagannath echoed in the streets of Ghatkopar with thousands attending the festival at the iconic Somaiya Grounds. The ‘Grace’ had now the Vision of ‘More’. FOLK(Friends of Lord Krishna) was another initiative to groom Samskaras in the younger kids, while they were growing up. The integrated approach was bearing fruit in terms of the numbers of people joining the ISKCON movement, along with their friends, acquaintances and families. A seed was planted elsewhere too…in the form of Srila Prabhupada’s vision for ‘Simple Living and High Thinking.
The contribution of Bilvavan wasn’t just limited to the sphere of its vicinity. Rooted in Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, the seed of Varnashram culture were planted in a barren piece of land belonging to one of its well-wishers, A blueprint along with a demonstrable nature retreat with self-sufficiency was in the making in the Karjat region of Raigad District, Maharashtra. The youth under the able leadership of His Grace Anupam Das and His Grace Krishna Chaitanya Das transformed an entire patch of underutilised land to a blooming oasis with more than 150 saplings to be a shelter for humanity.
The mammoth combination of youth, families and rural outreach brought many integral dimensions to the outreach of ISKCON in the view of the Seven Purposes of ISKCON drafted by Srila Prabhupada. Youth programs expanded with more leadership and delegation. Many monks from the ISKCON Chowpatty Temple contributed to the huge success of the burgeoning outreach. This was marked by special blessings of His Holiness Radhanath Swami, who in his inaugural address remarked,” Though this place doesn’t have a dome or a chakra, please don’t underestimate this place. It is a place where all God-given opulence can be utilised to glorify Sri Krishna.” Truly, the prophecy was coming to be true….
The era of national outreach was on the cards with successive marches of Sri Jagannath Rath yatra becoming synonymous with the locals as well as with the Mumbaikars. The Grand “India Rising Festival” was chalked out in 2014, to make a grand entry, enlightening aspirations and awakening of Indians, who were waiting to make their mark in the world, following the footsteps of great Indian Global Leaders. The 5-day festival, on the theme of India’s rise with 150 rural farmers and artisan beneficiaries, exhilarating stage presentations showcasing India’s art and culture, a scintillating grand Altar of Sri Sri Jagannath Baldev Subhadra, along with dozens of celebrities, industry leaders and spiritual personalities, who gave the festival a memorable present and envisioned future. Another seed was planted…the global outreach of India’s wisdom and message to the whole world, banking on the same order which was given by Srila Prabhupada’s own Guru to him back in 1922.
The relentless pursuit of the His Grace Krishna Chaitanya Das for nearing 2 decades, fructified into a blossoming tree with fruits, in reality at the Karjat Farm, and in the lives of more than 2000 youths associated in this journey. The Sadhana, Sanskriti and Samskaras were made the lasting message, which is still guiding those who have been along and those who will co0me along. The Samskaras school along with the Briader Dharmic understanding of Shastras along with its practical applications have become the mainstay of the outreach, along with its existing residential facility, which still shelters many seeking youngsters.
Vision
The vision of Srila Prabhupada was to revive God-consciousness and present timeless spiritual techniques for the upliftment of entire mankind.
Mission
Bilvavan BACE has dedicated itself to serving this vision of Srila Prabhupada by its long and progressive journey towards realizing through multi-various initiatives.
Programs
Vedic Education for children, Garbha Samskar, Sustainable Agriculture and Cow Protection, Conscious Consumerism rooted in our Vedic civilization.
Latest Photos
Our Teachers
Krishnachaitanya Das
Govinda Das
Satyanarayan Das
Radhikavallabh Das
Bilvavan BACE
Bilvavan BACE has dedicated itself to serving this mission of Srila Prabhupada by its long and progressive journey towards realizing through multi-various initiatives such as Vedic Education for children, Garbha Samskar, Sustainable Agriculture and Cow Protection, Conscious Consumerism by promotion of Village Small Scale Industries rooted in our Vedic civilization.