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{{articleissues|advert=May 2008|copyedit=May 2008|tone=May 2008}}
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'''Barsana Dham''' is a [[temple]] and [[ashram]] complex, located on 200 acres of land outside of [[Austin, Texas]], and is the headquarters of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP) in the Western world (Jain, 2003).<ref>Jain, N. (Feb. 11, 2003). ''Temples welcome those of all faiths, not just Hindus.'' The America's Intelligence Wire.</ref> It is largest Hindu Temple complex in North America (Srinivasan, 2000). <ref>Srinivasan, T.M. 2000. ''The True History and the Religion of India: A Concise Encyclopedia of Authentic Hinduism. (A Review).'' International Journal of Humanities and Peace, 16(1): 105.</ref>
'''Barsana Dham''' is a [[temple]] and [[ashram]] complex outside of [[Austin, Texas]] (Jain, 2003).<ref>Jain, N. (Feb. 11, 2003). ''Temples welcome those of all faiths, not just Hindus.'' The America's Intelligence Wire.</ref> It is largest Hindu Temple in North America (Srinivasan, 2000). <ref>Srinivasan, T.M. 2000. ''The True History and the Religion of India: A Concise Encyclopedia of Authentic Hinduism. (A Review).'' International Journal of Humanities and Peace, 16(1): 105.</ref>


Barsana Dham is a nonprofit, religious, educational, and charitable organization (Wu, 2007) <ref>Wu, E. (March 8, 2007). ''Walk is part of mission to aid needy in India''. The Dallas Morning News.</ref> that shows the path of ''raganuga bhakti''. Founded by H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati in 1990 (Kurien, 2007), Barsana Dham has become a place of pilgrimage for millions (Palaniswami, 1995). <ref>Palaniswami, P. (Dec., 1995). ''Worship Commences at the First Radha Rani Temple Outside India''. Hinduism Today.</ref>
Barsana Dham is a nonprofit, religious, educational, and charitable organization (Wu, 2007) <ref>Wu, E. (March 8, 2007). ''Walk is part of mission to aid needy in India''. The Dallas Morning News.</ref> that the path of ''raganuga bhakti''. Founded by H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati in 1990 (Kurien, 2007), Barsana Dham has become a place of pilgrimage for millions (Palaniswami, 1995). <ref>Palaniswami, P. (Dec., 1995). ''Worship Commences at the First Radha Rani Temple Outside India''. Hinduism Today.</ref>


==A Representation of the Holy Land of Braj==
==A Representation of the Holy Land of Braj==
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==Retreats and Family Camps==
==Retreats and Family Camps==
At various times throughout the year, Barsana Dham offers special weekend family retreats, mini-intensives, and weekend seva retreats. These retreats and programs have included Hindi and yoga classes, and summer dance classes (Ricci, 2003). <ref>Ricci, J. ''Yoga Escapes: A Yoga Journal Guide to the Best Places to Relax, Reflect, and Renew.'' Celestial Arts.</REF> Barsana Dham also conducts conducts tours for educational institutions and community groups (Ludwig, 2002).
At various times throughout the year Barsana Dham offers special weekend family retreats, mini-intensives, and weekend seva retreats. These retreats and programs have included Hindi and yoga classes, and summer dance classes (Ricci, 2003). <ref>Ricci, J. ''Yoga Escapes: A Yoga Journal Guide to the Best Places to Relax, Reflect, and Renew.'' Celestial Arts.</REF> Barsana Dham also conducts conducts tours for educational institutions and community groups (Ludwig, 2002).


==Bookstore==
==Bookstore==

Revision as of 18:39, 21 May 2008

Barsana Dham, the headquarters of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP) in the Western world, is a large temple and ashram complex outside of Austin, Texas. (Jain, 2003).[1] It is one of the largest Hindu Temple complexes in North America (Srinivasan, 2000). [2]

Barsana Dham is a nonprofit, religious, educational, and charitable organization (Wu, 2007) [3] that follows the path of raganuga bhakti. Founded by H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati in 1990 (Kurien, 2007), Barsana Dham has become a place of pilgrimage for millions of Hindus living in North America (Palaniswami, 1995). [4]

A Representation of the Holy Land of Braj

Barsana Dham is a representation of the holy land of Braj in India where Shree Radha Rani and Shree Krishn are believed to have appeared, around 5,000 years ago. Areas of Barsana Dham have been developed to be the places for devotional inspiration and meditation. The important places of Braj like Govardhan, Radha Kund, Prem Sarovar, Shyam Kuti, etc. are represented in Barsana Dham where a natural stream named Kalindi represents the Yamuna river of Vrindaban (Ciment, 2001).[5]

Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple

The Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple is the first Hindu temple built in Austin, Texas, and one of the largest Hindu temples in the USA.

Shree Radha Rani has many names. Raseshwari is one of Her most important names. It comes from Radhikopnishad and refers to the oneness of Radha Krishn as Radha (Saraswati, 1995). [6]

The main prayer hall of the Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple is decorated with the pictorial representations of teachings from ancient Hindu scriptures, which are captioned in both Sanskrit and English (Jain, 2003). [7] The most important themes of the essential scriptures are described in a continuous panel on the sides of the hall. To enhance the devotional atmosphere, a realistic depiction of the sky is portrayed on the ceiling (Ciment, 2001).

The temple architecture is a blend of north and south Indian, and modern styles of architecture. The 90 foot high temple dome is made of white and blue granite and gold. The artwork adorning the temple's shrine was hand-crafted by 15 artisans from South India, brought in especially for the project. The artisans carved the pillars and ceilings with images of peacocks and floral patterns (Jain, 2003). There are 84 columns and five levels in the building with covered area of 35,000 sq. feet.

Large festivals and celebrations at the temple are attended by thousands of people. The temple and ashram complex provides a place of worship and center for traditional Indian cultural activities, weddings and thread ceremonies.

H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati

H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati established Barsana Dham as a physical replica as well as devotional representation of Braj, India (Kurien, 2007), [8] so that devotees in the west may experience the same ambiance and Divine-love vibrations as if in Braj in India (Coward et. al, 2000). [9] In 1972, on the instructions of his Spiritual Master, Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, he began his mission of teaching the path of raganuga bhakti (Ludwig, 2002). [10]

Festivals

Barsana Dham celebrates all the major Hindu festivals (Hylton & Rossie) [11] which attract thousands (Ludwig, 2002).

  • Maha Shivratri
  • Holi
  • Ram Navmi
  • Mela Fair April 26th 2008
  • Jhulan Leela
  • Krishn Janmashtmi
  • Radha Ashtmi
  • Radha Rani Rath Yatra
  • Sharat Poornima
  • Divali
  • Govardhan Puja

Retreats and Family Camps

At various times throughout the year Barsana Dham, spread over 200 acres of land, offers special weekend family retreats, mini-intensives, and weekend seva retreats . These retreats and programs have included Hindi and yoga classes, and summer dance classes (Ricci, 2003). [12] Barsana Dham also conducts conducts tours for educational institutions and community groups (Ludwig, 2002).

Bookstore

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, Barsana Dham has published a wide selection of writings, and video and audio recordings of the philosophical and practical teachings and devotional chantings of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj in Hindi and the elucidations of those teachings by H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati in both English and Hindi.

Trivia

  • Barsana Dham has been named as one of the "best places to relax, reflect, and renew" (Ricci, 2003).
  • Barsana Dham's vice president, Prabhakari Devi was invited to deliver the first ever Hindu prayer in the Texas Senate. [13]
  • Barsana Dham was one of the centers to open its doors to Hurricane Katrina evacuees, and executed a fundraising drive in its wake (Joshi, 2005). [14]

References

  1. ^ Jain, N. (Feb. 11, 2003). Temples welcome those of all faiths, not just Hindus. The America's Intelligence Wire.
  2. ^ Srinivasan, T.M. 2000. The True History and the Religion of India: A Concise Encyclopedia of Authentic Hinduism. (A Review). International Journal of Humanities and Peace, 16(1): 105.
  3. ^ Wu, E. (March 8, 2007). Walk is part of mission to aid needy in India. The Dallas Morning News.
  4. ^ Palaniswami, P. (Dec., 1995). Worship Commences at the First Radha Rani Temple Outside India. Hinduism Today.
  5. ^ Ciment, J. 2001. Encyclopedia of American Immigration. Michigan: M.E. Sharpe.
  6. ^ Saraswati, S.P. (1995). The Divine Vision of Radha Krishn. Austin: International Society of Divine Love.
  7. ^ Jain, N. (Feb. 2, 2003). An Austin Haven. The Daily Texan.
  8. ^ Kurien, P.A. 2007. A Place at the Multicultural Table: The Development of an American Hinduism. NJ: Rutgers University Press.
  9. ^ Coward, H., Hinnells, J.R. & Williams, R.B. 2000. The South Asian Religious Diaspora in Britain, Canada, and the United States. NY: SUNY Press.
  10. ^ Ludwig, M. (March 9, 2002). Houses of worship. Austin American-Statesman.
  11. ^ Hylton, H. & Rosie, C. 2006. Insiders' Guide to Austin. The Globe Pequot Press Inc.
  12. ^ Ricci, J. Yoga Escapes: A Yoga Journal Guide to the Best Places to Relax, Reflect, and Renew. Celestial Arts.
  13. ^ Texas Legislature. (2005). Proceedings of 79th Legislature - Regular Session. Lieutenant Governor of Texas: Austin. [1]
  14. ^ Joshi, M. (Oct. 7, 2005). Community rallies to help Rita victims. India Abroad.
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