Prabhupada's Palace of Gold
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Historic BuildingPhoto SpotQuirky
Overview
New Vrindaban is an unincorporated area and an ISKCON (Hare Krishna) intentional community located in Marshall County, West Virginia, United States, near Moundsville. The town consists of 1,204 acres (4.87 km2) (0.1 km² of which is water), and several building complexes, homes, apartment buildings, and businesses including the Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra Temple (RVC Temple) and Prabhupada's Palace of Gold. New Vrindaban was founded in 1968 under the direct guidance of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON, by his disciple Kirtanananda Swami.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM 4:30 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeOperating seasonally from April to October, late afternoons from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM in August or September are magical. The extensive award-winning rose gardens are in full bloom, and the low sun casts a golden glow over the intricate 22K gold-leaf domes, stained glass, and marble inlays high in the ridges.
Getting ThereSet atop a remote rural ridge in the hills; missing any transit lines. Driving is mandatory: from I-70 near Wheeling, take US-250 S through the hills to Limestone, then follow the gold-lettered tourism markers onto the narrow, winding McCrearys Ridge Road. Follow it to the end to find the palace gates and open parking lot.
Travel Tips
- This is an active religious shrine with strict dress codes: sleeveless tops, tank tops, and short skirts/shorts are banned inside the palace. Certain sacred areas require visitors to remove shoes, so bring clean socks along.
- The rural mountain roads leading to the hilltop palace are narrow, steep, and feature sharp switchbacks with large blind spots. Winter snow plowing is delayed; driving here post-blizzard requires a capable AWD vehicle or snow tires.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the Palace of Gold rooms. Photography is permitted only within the exterior rose gardens and courtyards; unauthorized drone operation anywhere on the property is banned.
Reviews
Positive
- Stumbling onto this gold-leafed, intricately carved Indian palace deep in the WV hills provides an incredibly surreal visual shock.
- The interior crystal chandeliers, murals, and pure gold-leaf details are lavish, made richer by deeply passionate tour guides.
- The botanical award-winning rose gardens host thousands of blooms surrounding fountain pools, creating a holy, peaceful sanctuary.
- The on-site vegetarian restaurant serves authentically spiced, delicious Indian buffet cuisine that delights food enthusiasts.
Heads up
- Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the palace halls, disappointing avid social media creators.
- The winding mountain ascent road from the highway is narrow with hairpin turns and zero guardrails, nerve-wracking in heavy rain.
- Certain exterior marble structures show severe weathering and peeling gold foil, indicating an urgent need for structural renovation.
- The fully guided interior ticket price is somewhat steep considering the brief duration, and specific shrine halls are heavily restricted.