Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa

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Vedic City, or Maharishi Vedic City, is a city located in Jefferson County, Iowa. The total population, currently about 200, is expected to reach 1,200 by the year 2010^[1]. Vedic City is Iowa's newest city and claims to be the first modern city built according to ancient Vedic architectural design.

Geography

Vedic City is located approximately two miles north of Fairfield, Iowa. Fairfield is the home of the Maharishi University of Management.

ZIP codes

All addresses in Vedic City fall under the 52556 ZIP code.

History

The idea for Vedic City, a centralized location to hold group transcendental meditation, was conceived in 1991 by Chris Johnson, a real estate developer from San Francisco.^[1]. This idea evolved into a working municipality centered on the principles and teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, including Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design. Sometimes referred to as Vastu architecture, it aims to design buildings that promote happiness and energy. Notable aspects of this principle include the gold kalash on the roof of each building and that all structures face to the east.

Johnson and a dozen other followers of the Maharishi purchased 50 farms totalling 3000 acres, some 1200 of which was designated for the town itself.^[1] They laid out development in 10 circles ringing about one square mile, and paved roads, installed utilities from sewage to internet, and constructed buildings including a hotel, houses, office buildings, and even an observatory to aid in astrological decisions.^[1] Eventually a double golden dome in the center of the layout will serve as a venue for vedic flying, similar to a facility already in use at the nearby university.^[1] Financial and infrastructure needs led Vedic City to seek formal approval as a city from the state. After petitioning the Iowa City Development Board and holding a referendum^[1], it was incorporated as Iowa's newest city on July 21, 2001, the first in Iowa since 1982. The group expects to have a population of over 1000 by 2010, chiefly from meditators already living in Fairfield.^[1]

Sanskrit has been named its "ideal language," although other languages are used. In November 2001, the city's name was expanded to Maharishi Vedic City. In November 2002, the city council passed an ordinance banning the sale of non-organic food. The city council voted to ban the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers within the city limits in April 2005, becoming the first all-organic city in the country. [1]

Government

Vedic City is administered by a five-person city council and a mayor. Few laws or ordinances exist, citing natural law as the governing principle of the city. The current mayor is Dr. Bob Wynne.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Jennifer 8 Lee (April 17, 2001). "In Many Ways, a New Iowa Town Looks to East". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-03-05.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) Reprinted at the [[Rick Ross (consultant)|]] website.

External links

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[NYT-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Jennifer 8 Lee (April 17, 2001). "In Many Ways, a New Iowa Town Looks to East". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-03-05.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) Reprinted at the [[Rick Ross (consultant)|]] website.

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