Radha Madhav Dham
Barsana Dham
Photograph of Radha Madhav Dham from 2014 by Carol M. Highsmith
Radha Madhav Dham in 2014
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DeityRadha Krishna
Location
LocationNear Austin
StateTexas
CountryUnited States
Radha Madhav Dham is located in Texas
Radha Madhav Dham
Location within Texas
Geographic coordinates30°9′20″N 97°57′28″W / 30.15556°N 97.95778°W / 30.15556; -97.95778
Architecture
Date established1990
Website
radhamadhavdham.org

Radha Madhav Dham, originally called Barsana Dham[1][2][3] is the main U.S. center of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, a nonprofit organization located on more than 200 acres of land in Hays County, south of Austin, Texas. It is a Hindu temple and ashram campus,[4][5] the oldest Hindu Temple in Texas[6] the largest in North America.[7]

Radha Madhav Dham is a nonprofit, religious, educational, and charitable organization[8] that follows the path of raganuga bhakti.[9] The temple is involved in numerous charitable educational projects including JKP Education, which won the Nelson Mandela Peace Award instituted by the Economic Growth Society of India in April 2014.[10][11][12]

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj was an Indian religious leader, and the founder of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), a worldwide Hindu non-profit organization with five main ashrams, four in India and one in the United States. Radha Madhav Dham is the main ashram of JKP for the United States. The temple was founded by Prakashanand Saraswati. Saraswati was convicted in 2011 of 20 counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and sentenced to 280 years of prison. As of 2015 all images and mentions of Saraswati have been removed from the temple, which has said that its leadership has been changed and that it has no knowledge of Saraswati's whereabouts.[13][14]

History

Radha Madhav Dham (Barsana Dham) was established in 1990 as the main US center of the International Society of Divine Love, which was founded in the 1970s.[15] Radha Madhav Dham was built to be a representation of the holy land of Braj in India where Radha and Krishna are believed by Hindus to have appeared, over 5,000 years ago.[16][15][17][18] It has been designed as a place of pilgrimage in America.[19] Areas of Radha Madhav Dham have been developed to be the places for meditation.[15][18][20] Places of Braj like Govardhan, Radha Kund, Prem Sarovar, Shyam Kuti, and others are represented in Radha Madhav Dham where a natural stream named Kalindi represents the Yamuna river of Vrindaban.[15][21]

In April 2011, following the escape and disappearance of its founder Prakashanand Saraswati after his conviction on 20 charges of sexual indecency with a child at Barsana Dham, the organization changed its name.[22][23][14]

In 2012, on the one-year anniversary of the trial, Radha Madhav Dham spokeswoman Vrinda Devi stated, "What we've been trying to do since then is moving forward... As far as [Saraswati's] presence, we've subdued that in order to go on and survive as a minority religious community."[24]

Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple

The Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple at Radha Madhav Dham is the first Hindu temple built in Austin, Texas, and one of the largest Hindu temples in the USA.[25] The temple encompasses about 35,000 square feet (3,300 m2) and is topped by a 90-foot (27 m)-high golden dome.[2]

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.[26] The philosophy of the Hindu scriptures are described in a continuous panel on the sides of the hall. A realistic depiction of the sky is portrayed on the ceiling.[21]

The temple architecture is a blend of north and south Indian, and modern styles of architecture.[16][21][27] It was designed by two architects from India.[27] The 90-foot (27 m) high temple dome is made of white and blue granite and gold. The tower is in the traditional shape, but it's built out of granite, whereas most in India are sandstone.[27] The artwork of the temple's shrine was hand-crafted by 15 artisans from South India. The artisans carved the pillars and ceilings with images of peacocks and floral patterns. There are 84 columns and five levels in the building with covered area of 35,000 sq ft (3,300 m2). The temple was built using special construction techniques and processes that are intended to allow it to last for more than a thousand years.[28] A peach orchard, gardens of roses, jasmine and marigolds and wandering peacocks decorate the temple grounds.[29]

Festivals and celebrations at the temple attract up to 8000 people.[30] The temple and ashram complex is a center for traditional Indian cultural activities and weddings.[30][31][32][33] Weekly services are held every Sunday morning from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. followed by a community lunch. Approximately 1000 families attend Radha Madhav Dham. 96% of these are Indian, the remaining 4% being Westerners and people of Caribbean descent.[30]

According to Rinehart (2006)[31] and Lee & Nadeau (2011),[34] Radha Madhav Dham is an example of how builders of Hindu Temples in the US have replicated the sacred Geography of India, providing a familiar space and experience for Hindus from India, and fostering an identification with their adopted homeland.[31]

Festivals

Radha Madhav Dham celebrates all the major Hindu festivals[35] which attract thousands.[9] The Temple is home to one of the biggest Janmashtami celebrations in North America.[15][36] To commemorate the yearly Rath Yatra festival at the temple, October 27, 2001 was named 'Radha Rani Rath Yatra Day' by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.[37] The 2011 Rath Yatra celebration was attended by "Bhajan Samrat" Anup Jalota.[38] Various other Mayors of Austin and Governor of Texas have visited or offered commendations to Barsana Dham.[30][39] 50,000 visitors[40] from both Indian and Western communities participate in the lessons, religious programs and celebrations there.[41]

Retreats and family camps

At various times throughout the year, the temple offers special weekend family retreats, mini-intensives, and weekend seva retreats. These retreats and programs include Hindi, yoga and Indian dance classes. Radha Madhav Dham has been named one of the "best places to relax, reflect, and renew".[4] Radha Madhav Dham also conducts tours for schools, other educational institutions and community groups.[9] In 2007, the temple and ashram was featured in National Geographic's "The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life".[42]

Radha Madhav Dham also organizes free family camps and "Basics of Hinduism" courses[43] in Hindu temples in Dallas, Houston, Washington, D.C., and New York.[44]

Each fall, the Texas Yoga Retreat, organized by Charles MacInerney and Ellen Smith is held at the ashram. This retreat provides an opportunity to experience ashram living along with 250-plus other yoga enthusiasts.[45] There is also a new year retreat organized by Radha Madhav Dham. This weekend long stay involves relaxation and meditation. Families are welcome to the yoga classes and meditation sessions, and a 24-hour continuous chant known as Akhand Sankirtan takes place from noon on New Year's Eve to noon the following day.[46]

Educational and charitable activities

Radha Madhav Dham opened its doors to Hurricane Katrina evacuees, and executed a fundraising drive in its wake.[47] In September 2008, Radha Madhav Dham launched a fundraising drive for victims of the flooding in Bihar. The immediate goal of the drive was to raise US$150,000 for relief efforts.[48] In the same month, hundreds of evacuees of Hurricane Ike were given food and shelter at Radha Madhav Dham.[49][50] Radha Madhav Dham is also active in a number of local and global charitable activities including housing rehabilitation work in Central Texas, flood relief efforts for India, and the ongoing support of hospital operations oversees.[50] The temple hosted 300–400 evacuees from Hurricane Rita in 2005.[51] Radha Madhav Dham has organized charitable walks in Dallas to raise funds for its $2.3 million Kripalu Charitable Hospital in the town of Barsana, India[8] which was inaugurated in 2008. Besides the hospital in Barsana, JKP Radha Madhav Dham's center in India also opened the 'Kripalu Charitable Hospital' in Mangarh in 2003. That facility provides free diagnostic exams, treatment, surgical procedures, hospitalization, emergency services and medication to hundreds of patients daily.[8] National eye camps and mother/child welfare programs also have been established throughout India, providing free eye exams, cataract surgery and polio vaccines to those in need.[8]

Radha Madhav Dham participates in inter-religious services such as Austin Area Interreligious ministries,[30][37][52] Hindu-Jewish Solidarity Day[53][54][55] and PBS's Many Voices project.[56] The organization was selected to represent Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in 1993.[29]

References

  1. ↑ a Dham Blooms in Texas Archived August 17, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  2. 1 2 "Hindu Temple Opens in Texas", October 14, 1995. The Washington Post. Section: METRO
  3. ↑ Kurien, P.A. 2007. A Place at the Multicultural Table: The Development of an American Hinduism. NJ: Rutgers University Press.
  4. 1 2 Ricci, J. Yoga Escapes: A Yoga Journal Guide to the Best Places to Relax, Reflect, and Renew. Celestial Arts.
  5. ↑ Walker, J.K. 2007. The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality. Harvest House Publishers.
  6. ↑ India Today International. Volume 1, Issues 1-8. Living Media International. 2002.
  7. ↑ Gaines, David (September 11, 2020). "I Climbed Up Friday Mountain and Down Barsana Hill". The Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Wu, E. (March 8, 2007). "Walk is part of mission to aid needy in India" The Dallas Morning News
  9. 1 2 3 Ludwig, M. March 9, 2002. "Houses of worship". Austin American-Statesman (TX)
  10. ↑ Nelson Mandela Peace Award bestowed on the charitable organization supported by Austin based Hindu temple Archived April 27, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. April 24, 2014. Voice of Asia
  11. ↑ Austin-based Hindu Temple gets Nelson Mandela Peace Award. April 23, 2014. India Herald.
  12. ↑ JPK Education gets Nelson Mandela Peace Award Archived August 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. April 20, 2014. IANS
  13. ↑ Sadeghi, Chris (May 5, 2014). "Religious leader convicted of sex crimes disappears". KXAN. NBC News. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  14. 1 2 "Guru convicted of abusing followers' children fled justice". CNN. August 13, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Kamath, A.P. August 12, 1999. "Janmashtami Events In Cattle Country" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Rediff.com.
  16. 1 2 Harvard Plurism Project Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ↑ Perks, K.S.L. August 24, 1997. Hindus honor supreme deity with festival. Austin American-Statesman
  18. 1 2 Prothero, S.R. 2006. A nation of religions: the politics of pluralism in multireligious America. University of North Carolina Press
  19. ↑ Kettmann, M. 2009. "The Salt Lick, a Hindu Temple, Disc Golf, The Horseshoe, and Texas Wine" Archived August 19, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Santa Barbara Independent
  20. ↑ Journal of Vaishnava Studies, Volume 13, Issues 1-2. 2004.
  21. 1 2 3 Ciment, J. 2001. Encyclopedia of American Immigration. Michigan: M. E. Sharpe.
  22. ↑ "With guru on the lam, ashram changes name"[usurped], by Sean Kimmons, San Marcos Mercury, April 22, 2011, accessed May 16, 2011
  23. ↑ Crair, Ben (June 6, 2011). "The Fugitive Guru". The Daily Beast. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  24. ↑ Guru still missing, one year after he failed to show up for sentencing in groping trial Austin American Statesman March 5, 2012
  25. ↑ 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. (Full Text)
  26. ↑ Jain, N. "An Austin Haven". The Daily Texan
  27. 1 2 3 Parker, J.M. October 25, 1996. "3,000 expected at Hindu celebration". San Antonio Express-News
  28. ↑ Stevens, D. 1995. "Far Eastern Religions expanding in Texas". Associated Press.
  29. 1 2 Nevans-Pederson, M. November 16, 2002. "Seeking Divine unity through Hinduism". The Telegraph-Herald
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 "Barsana Dham Hindu Temple" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. The Pluralism Project at Harvard University.
  31. 1 2 3 Rinehart, R. 2006. Contemporary Hinduism: Ritual, Culture, and Practice. ABC-CLIO.
  32. ↑ "Flavors of India" Archived April 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. April 10, 2009. San Marcos Daily Record
  33. ↑ "Best of Austin Award 2003". The Austin Chronicle
  34. ↑ Lee, H.X. & Nadeau, K.M. 2011. Encyclopedia of Asian American folklore and folklife. ABC-CLIO
  35. ↑ Hylton, H. & Rosie, C. 2006. Insiders' Guide to Austin. The Globe Pequot Press Inc.
  36. ↑ Busby, M. 2004. The Southwest. Greenwood Publishing Group.
  37. 1 2 "Mayor Watson declares Radha Rani Rath Yatra Day in Austin" Archived January 26, 2013, at archive.today, November 17, 2001. India Herald
  38. ↑ "Rang De with Anup Jalota at Radha Madhav Dham, Austin" Archived April 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Indo-American News
  39. ↑ Ruth, D. 1997. "Barsana Dham". Awareness magazine. July/August 1997 Issue.
  40. ↑ Hindu cultural centre hosts speaker. Daily Herald-Tribune
  41. ↑ Chan Santos, M. October 29, 2011. "Hidden Neighborhood: Three small neighborhoods in northern Hays County known for nature" Archived January 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Austin American-Statesman
  42. ↑ Grout, P. 2007. The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life. National Geographic Books. The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life - Pam Grout - Google Books. Archived from the original on July 5, 2014. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  43. ↑ Thomases, D. 2007. "Following the Swami: Diaspora, Dialogue, and the Creation of a Hindu Identity in a Queens Community" Archived June 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Insight Undergraduate Journal, 1(1), pp. 68 - 84.
  44. ↑ Prbweb. "JKP Barsana Dham to Offer Gita Class in New York during February School Break" Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  45. ↑ Ricci, J. (2004). "7 Destination Ashrams". Mar-Apr 2004 Edition. Yoga Journal
  46. ↑ Robberson, S. & Speakerman, M.R. December 21, 2007. "New Year's Eve Dining & Lodging". The Austin Chronicle
  47. ↑ Joshi, M. (October 7, 2005). "Community rallies to help Rita victims". India Abroad. "Community rallies to help Rita victims - India Abroad | HighBeam Research". Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  48. ↑ "2008, Bihar Relief Campaign" Archived November 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 6, 2008
  49. ↑ Powell, B. (September 15, 2008). "Barsana Dham Center houses evacuees" Archived March 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. News 8 Austin
  50. 1 2 "Barsana Dham Temple Shelters Hurricane Ike Evacuees" Archived June 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  51. ↑ Hindu organizations unite to provide hurricane relief Archived July 10, 2012, at archive.today. N.D. India Herald.
  52. ↑ Maze, H. November 24, 2002. Interreligious organization, volunteers help give thanks" Archived March 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. News 8 Austin
  53. ↑ Duke, M.C. January 13, 2011. "Local event promotes Hindu-Jewish solidarity" Archived July 11, 2012, at archive.today. Jewish Herald-Voice
  54. ↑ Giri, Kalyani. January 17, 2011. "Building Bridges Between World Cultures". Indo American-News
  55. ↑ "More pictures from the 1st Annual Hindu-Jewish Solidarity Day" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. 2011.
  56. ↑ "Collecting Many Voices" Archived May 9, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. 2004.
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