Maharishi Vedic Observatory - Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa

Creativity C.

Worth stopping to see if you're already in the area, but maybe bring a picnic of you want something besides a brief stop.

I spent about 20 minutes walking around the various instruments in the circular, gated observatory area. There were small placards with a brief description of each instrument. A fascinating and unique thing to experience. Everything was a bit weather-worn, with peeling paint and chipping cement.

I would give another star if there was an easy way to learn more about each instrument. A QR-code on the gate with a link to reading materials or videos would be fantastic. It would be a benefit to the public's ability to learn about Vedic science to make more information about the Vedic Observatory available.

It would be fairly easy to access this site with a wheelchair or other assistive devices, as you can pull right up to the gate (which is closed but unlocked) and move across flat, level grass the entire time.

The Miu.edu website has more information:

"The Vedic Observatory is an ancient Vedic technology to expand awareness, to train the vision and mind to focus on the mathematical precision and order that regulates the universe without problems.

The precise measuring instruments of the Maharishi Vedic Observatory reflect, in their form and function, the movement of the stars and planets with relation to the individual, and display this precise mathematical relationship.

All value of time is expressed in sundial-like instruments which measure the Sun, counting the hours of the day, reflecting the Sun’s movement across the sky and displaying its relation with all life on Earth. The instruments of the Maharishi Vedic Observatory display this regular movement in the shapes and markings of the instruments themselves. The instruments also express all values of space and direction, first by locating the North Star, and then deriving all directions—north, south, east, and west—from there.

The purpose of this ancient Vedic technology is to align one’s vision with the orderly setup of cosmic performance from wherever one is on Earth. In this way, the Maharishi Vedic Observatory allows one to gain the benefit of Nature’s Intelligence—a life lived in accord with all the Laws of Nature."

Vijay ?. M.

Beautiful quiet place, holistic healing, has ancient way of calculation of astronomical changes.

Mel D.

I had 3 teammate from India visiting at the very end of April. Over the weekend I thought it might be interesting for them to stop here. I had never heard of the place.

However, I wouldn't recommend. Maybe if you are close maybe within 30 minutes or going by on the way to somewhere else.

Nothing much to see, no real information about the instruments or how they were used. My teammates were not impressed lol. They did enjoy Pella though.

Rhonda S.

Interesting but difficult to understand. Sun dials this complicated should have some explanations, in my opinion.
This is also much smaller than we expected... less than 1 acre.

Joshua A.

Really neat. A great place to visit just for some peace. Been visiting for 25 years.

Anil K. B.

A great collection of observatories proving the vast superiority of a heliocentric vedic society spanning Eurasia, Oceania and other continents overshadowing European flatlandedness

Ehsan A.

Visited this place to enjoy arora. Nice and calm.

Jay J.

Pretty neat. Could use a brochure to describe how the instruments work.