Ford scion to sponsor largest ISCKON temple in WB

Funded by Alfred Brush Ford; the 4,25,000 sqft temple will be 300 metre high, expected to be thrown open in 2016

West Bengal might be starved of big investment, but the spiritual heritage of the state is making up for it.

Alfred Brush Ford, a fourth-generation member of America's well-known Ford family, is investing in his dream project in the state.

The great grandson of the legendary businessman and founder of Ford Motor company, Henry Ford, is at the forefront of financing ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Consciousness) to build the world's largest vedic temple, the Chandrodaya Mandir, at Mayapur in the Nadia district of West Bengal. The largest ever construction project of ISKCON, is going to see an estimated investment of about $75 million.

"Srila Prabhupada envisioned this temple. I am happy to contribute for this dream project. This is going to be for people. This will make people from all over the world visit Mayapur,  the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,"  Alfred Brush Ford, who is also the Chairman of the upcoming Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, said. The scion of the Ford family had joined ISKCON decades ago.

The 4,25,000 sqft temple will be 300 metre high and is expected to be thrown open in 2016. According ISKCON officials, Queen of England, President of USA and President of India would be present for the inauguration of the temple in 2016.

While the scion of the Ford family who joined International Society for Krishna Consciousness several decades ago, is providing the about 40% of the fund, for the rest ISKCON has launched "donate a sqft' programme.

"The cost of 2,50,00 sqft is being funded by Ford. For the rest we are inviting people bear the cost of one sqft each, which would be Rs 7,000," an ISCKON official said.