The Palace of Gold was truly a labor of love. So many people from so many walks of life just worked at making it what it is today. They believed in the teachings and the principles of Srila Prabhupada and they are aptly named devotees. When…Read More

The Palace of Gold was truly a labor of love. So many people from so many walks of life just worked at making it what it is today. They believed in the teachings and the principles of Srila Prabhupada and they are aptly named devotees.

When I visited, I tried to reflect on my life and focused on the peace, beauty, and elegance of the Palace. That's the great thing about this place--just go and have some quality time. You don't need to be religious, although you can partake in the prayers, and you don't need to worry about anything but your own feelings and spirituality.

The chandeliers were designed and hand crafted by Isani Devi Dasi (Ellen Schramm), who also made the jewelry and some of the other ornamentation.

Muralidhara Dasa (Mark Missman) is the resident artist. His work can be seen on the ceiling of the temple and inside the temple. It's magnificent and beautifully captures the stories of Indian Gods and Goddesses.

Sudhanu (George Weisner) traveled to India as a student of the art of carving. He returned a master and can take credit for such masterpieces as the 4,200 piece ornamentation in the Palace dome.

These are just a few of the individuals involved with this huge undertaking.

The former West Virginia State Penitentiary 818 Jefferson Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia 304-845-6200 The former West Virginia State Penitentiary was the second public building constructed by the newly formed state of West Virginia after the civil war. Tours are now available to the public. When we were…Read More

The former West Virginia State Penitentiary 818 Jefferson Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia 304-845-6200 The former West Virginia State Penitentiary was the second public building constructed by the newly formed state of West Virginia after the civil war. Tours are now available to the public. When we were there for the third weekend in October, tours were only running at 10, 2, and 4. Unfortunately, these times didn’t work out for us. If you are interested in touring the penitentiary, call ahead for tour times to avoid disappointment.

Even though we were unable to take the tour, we enjoyed just driving around the impressive structure. We couldn't believe how many homes bordered the penitentiary property. I'll bet those people were glad when the penitentiary closed!

During the month of October, the penitentiary is the site of the Dungeon of Horrors Haunted House in the evenings. My husband and I have an acquaintance that drove down from Pittsburgh just to tour the haunted house and said it was well worth the trip.

As my husband and I were heading down Route 2 towards Moundsville, we were listening to a Brad Paisley CD. We thought it was only fitting for our drive through the country since Brad Paisley is one of the hottest new country music stars.…Read More

As my husband and I were heading down Route 2 towards Moundsville, we were listening to a Brad Paisley CD. We thought it was only fitting for our drive through the country since Brad Paisley is one of the hottest new country music stars. As we were passing through the town of Glen Dale, West Virginia, I saw a street sign that read: “Brad Paisley Boulevard.” I thought: “what a coincidence!” Later while I was reading through a brochure, I learned that Glen Dale is the home of Brad Paisley. So, when we drove back through Glen Dale I insisted that my husband stop the car so that I could take a picture of the “Brad Paisley Boulevard” sign. If you are a big Brad Paisley fan, it would be fun to trace Brad Paisley’s steps through Glen Dale. Glen Dale is a small town. I’m sure a lot of people there know Brad and could tell you a story or two. There are several restaurants in Glen Dale, both national chains (such as Ponderosa) and local restaurants (such as Youngs Cafeteria.) As its name implies, Youngs Cafeteria is a cafeteria-style restaurant. My husband and I actually stopped at Youngs, but then decided we really wanted to be waited on (more relaxing.) But, it looked like a nice place though. There are also a couple of small motels and the Bonnie Dwaine Bed & Breakfast located in Glen Dale. Close

MOUNDSVILLE, West Virginia - No matter where I'm driving from, at a certain point, those last 20 minutes to my destination seem to take forever. Once I arrive, however, I often find that it's well worth it. For example, the Palace of Gold, located in Moundsville,…Read More

MOUNDSVILLE, West Virginia - No matter where I'm driving from, at a certain point, those last 20 minutes to my destination seem to take forever. Once I arrive, however, I often find that it's well worth it. For example, the Palace of Gold, located in Moundsville, West Virginia, is fanciful at first glance, and very possibly unlike any shrine you'll ever see. It is ornate and lavish from afar and upon close inspection as well. The magnificence of the palace is due to two reasons. It was created out of pure devotion to Lord Krishna of the Hindu religion. Also, the shrine was built without building 'experts' or architects. Instead, a group of devotees studied and read books to build their 'palace of gold.' Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, for whom the shrine was made, wanted to share his love and knowledge of Lord Krishna with anyone who was interested. An epiphany convinced him that his mission in life was to give up his ordinary day-to-day life and take up the spiritual order of sannyasa (renunciation). Leaving behind his life in India, he came to the United States and opened centers for his organization, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Calif.; Boston, Mass.; Buffalo, N.Y., and, Montreal (Canada). Eventually, he entrusted the project of the West Virginia center to his disciples. The palace contains a kitchen, study, bedroom, bathroom, main temple hall, gardens, restaurant, gift shop, lounge and offices. Nearby are a lodge, temple and man-made lakes with swans. The chandeliers, made of Austrian crystal, are incredible, as are the stained-glass windows. Special royal peacock windows contain more than 1,500 pieces of hand-shaped and stained glass. The intricate wood carvings on the doors, the peacock and lotus themes, the teakwood furnishings, the Greek marble, and the murti (replica of Prabhupada at his desk) all evoke breathtaking sighs and gasps of amazement. The sink in the bathroom weighs 300 pounds and is made of marble; the rose-quartz-handled faucets are plated with 22-karat gold. The murals are perfection, each depicting the Lord Krishna and facets of the Hindu religion. Outdoors are vibrant gardens, complete with fountains and carvings. The palace group has received several awards and recognition for their flowers. Outside the palace, among the colorful variety of blooms, is where one can gain the inner peace for which everyone strives, regardless of their religion. Visiting the Palace of Gold is more than just an opportunity to see a fairytale-like castle. It is a place where the disciples of Swami Prabhupada live their lives, on what can easily be described as another world. The devotees grow their own vegetables and live a basic way of life, content with their love of their religion and one another. Guests to the palace may take a tour, for a nominal fee, but for the most part, it's best to explore and enjoy the tranquility on one's own. To get to the Palace of Gold, take Interstate 70 to Interstate 470 (near Wheeling, W.Va.) to Bethlehem/Exit 2. Take Route 88 South for eight miles to U.S. 250. Turn left and follow 250 South two miles to Palace signs. Turn left four miles to the Palace of Gold. Close