What a Janmashtmi we just had at Barsana Dham, founded by Swami Prakashanand Saraswati!? It was the first time I had celebrated Janmashtmi at Barsana Dham in a long time and I can honestly say it was one of the greatest Janmashtmi celebrations I have ever experienced.

We began with a sumptuous dinner prasad in the dining hall. And later, Sushree Prabhakari Devi, vice-president of JKP Barsana Dham, founded by Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, gave a thought provoking and moving speech on the real meaning of Janmashtmi. Perhaps the part of the speech which most struck a chord with me was when she was speaking of making Krishn Janmashmi ‘your own’. Prabhakari Devi spoke about the magnificent Janmashtmi celebrations she celebrated in India long ago, which in her mind, define what Janmashtmi is and she encouraged all of us to have a Janmashtmi of our own which we can always have as something to remember. And I can truly say that Janmashtmi 2010 is one which I will always remember.

At the beginning of the evening program in the temple prayer, Barsana Dham’s special guest the Honorable Sanjiv Arora, council general of India spoke some words of wisdom to the huge crowds. This was followed by some Indian dances and a special Vrindaban mandali, “Makaan Chori” was performed by the Shri Natraj School of Dance. The highlight of the cultural program was the Janmashtmi leela performed by the devotees of Barsana Dham. It was a short and sweet depiction of baby Krishn’s appearance leela. At the climax of the leela, Mother Yashoda and Nand Baba said that it is now time to show our baby to the whole words, and with that, all the brajwasis began to celebrate by throwing sweets and gifts in every direction throughout the prayer hall, to everyone there. By the end, everyone was dancing and singing in unreserved devotion and joy at being part of what felt like the real Janmashtmi celebration of 5000 years ago.

When I went outside I heard lots of guests talking to each other, and to friends and family on their cellphones. The reactions were truly amazing. One man was talking on his cellphone and said something about that even at temples he had visited in various parts of India, he had never seen anything like what he had seen at this temple. Another man, who it seemed was his first time visiting Barsana Dham, was just standing on the temple steps with friends, and said he was just so glad he came.

The best part of the evening was towards the end of the night when the 3000 strong crowd subsided a little, and we all just sat in the prayer hall quietly and reflectively singing Janmashtmi pad revealed by our Spiritual Master Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. After some time, the tempo began to increase slowly but surely, and towards the end of the day (nearly at mid night) we reached the climax of the whole day’s festivities as one or two people, and within a few minutes started dancing, as if by spontaneous inspiration. After a minute or so, no one was seated. Conches were calling and drums of various tones and sizes were beating in charming rhythms. Some of the people had their eyes closed, some open, some had tears in their eyes, some were sweetly smiling in joy, but everyone was clapping or dancing in some way or another. By the end, at midnight, we all did arti to baby Krishn and to our supreme master Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, with whose grace made this whole day a day to remember, and whose Barsana Dham ashram, founded by Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, is the guiding light, and true solace of all spiritual seekers and lovers of God in the western world.

Check back soon, and I will try to post some photos of the amazing event!

Read the Janmashtmi message of H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati at www.BarsanaDham.org

Radhey Radhey

Daily components of the camp: (for adults & kids)
• Harmonium, dholak & manjeera classes
• Meditation classes (roop dhyan)
• Yog classes
• Family fun: ping pong, volleyball, badminton, Olympic games, water Holi, campfire, charades
• ‘Meet’ historical Saints and ask them questions
• Shlok classes
• Enjoy doing seva in the ashram
• Join in a leela performance

Gain knowledge about Hinduism through interactive learning sessions:
• learn why we do devotion to Radha Krishn
• learn the secrets to a successful devotional life
• learn the difference between duty and attachment
• value the greatness of being Hindu in America
• remove confusions about Hinduism
• children learn the basics of Hinduism

If you have questions, please call (512) 288-7180
or visit http://www.HinduFamilyCamp.org to register online

Clouds of colored powder flew past me from all directions. Avoiding the splashes of color, I darted across the grounds, attempting to find my friends, but to no avail—everyone was covered in the same fusion of red, pink, yellow, orange, green, and purple. I was frustrated, but I couldn’t help but smile after a complete stranger smeared red powder on my face, whilst exclaiming “Holi Hai!”

Barsana Dham Holi

I guess that’s what Holi is all about, and this year’s event, held at Barsana Dham, lived up to all expectations. Holi, the Festival of Colors, is traditionally celebrated by participants throwing rang (colored powder) on one another. In a more modern interpretation, rang is thrown to symbolically eliminate differences of color, race, or religion, and to encourage everyone to celebrate together. While connecting people of different races through color seems slightly oxymoronic, the atmosphere created at Barsana Dham proved otherwise—over three thousand people of various backgrounds excitedly ran around the large courtyard, their color-stained hands reaching deviously into their recently-acquired bags of rang, eyeing their next victim.

While I was unable to attend the entire event, the festivites began at 3 pm with a special Holi satsang, followed by aarti. After this was dinner, which was prepared by several dedicated devotees. As I overheard one aunty say to another, arrangements for the meal began the day before with devotees cooking from 9 am to 4 pm, anxiously awaiting the large crowd of attendees. After the distribution of rang, attendees danced to the melody of Holi songs, accompanied by the rhythm of the dholak.Their infectious smiles, which for certain unlucky individuals were as multicolored as their faces, gleamed long after the sun had set.

In the distance was the Holi fire, which represented the burning of the demoness, Holika. According to Hindu folklore, King Hiranyakashipu, envious of his son Prahalad’s devotion to Lord Vishnu, decided to kill his son using the help of his sister, Holika, who was immune to fire. However, through the intervention of Vishnu, Prahalad was unarmed, and Holika was scorched, reduced to ashes. Like many other Hindu festivals, Holi also signifies the victory of good over evil.

Plan II Professor, Jerome Bump, of the Department of English makes it a tradition to invite his students to Barsana Dham’s Holi celebration each year. “I have always emphasized that the best education is study abroad and Holi at Barsana Dham gives students a taste of that, with all the Hindi spoken in the temple, the ceremonies, the food, and of course the primarily Indian congregation. India is particularly important in my classes as the source of the religions that cherish animals, plants, and the environment the best: Hinduism, Buddhism, and especially Jainism. These religions challenge the basic Western attitudes toward other species and exemplify a tolerance for diversity we need to emulate.”

I was amazed at how effectively the JKP Barsana Dham staff and volunteers handled the chaos of Holi. While their rang reservoir was quickly depleted, this did not deter attendees from staying to sing, dance, and celebrate. Thousands of people splattered the temple grounds with two hundred fifty pounds of rang, but in a matter of a few hours, the area returned to its calm, serene ambiance.

Swami Nikhilanand Ji’s interview with Ashok Vyas on ITV. Swami Nikhilanand Ji is a pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.

Founded in 1990 by H. D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, the Barsana Dham temple & ashram campus serves as the national center of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj in the United States and is one of the largest Hindu temples in North America.

Keep up with the latest news and views of the spiritual talks and courses led by Swami Nikhilanand on Facebook.

Hinduism Awareness Week

Hinduism awareness week, sponsored by Hindus of Greater Houston, was well attended. Children of all ages participated in the event and were asking questions and they listened to complete lecture by Swami Nikhilanand Ji, a pracharak who lives at Barsana Dham, founded by Shree Swami Prakashanand Saraswati. Many topics were covered and it was a very interactive session.

Janeshwari Devi was first introduced to the spiritual knowledge of India in 1983. She regularly travels to India where she studied the Sanskrit scriptures and devotional music. In 1991, Janeshwari Devi received sannyas, one of the few western women to take sannyas in the raganuga bhakti tradition of Vrindaban, India. Since then, she has traveling throughout the U.S. speaking on the ancient Hindu tradition and leading kirtan programs.

Event Name: “What Makes Hinduism Great?”
Date: Sunday, Dec 13, 2009
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: S.V. Temple (Hindu Temple)
10401 Mc Kenzie Ln • Corpus Christi, TX 78410, USA
Contact: Gopal Pathikonda
Ph: (361) 960-4500

Program includes:
• Multimedia presentation
• Knowledge of what authentic Hinduism is
• Learn the source of scriptural knowledge of India
• Find out how the history of India has been changed
• Singing of kirtan & Sanskrit verses
• Lunch prasad

This will be an inspiring and knowledge filled program, and you are all invited to download and print the flyer and distribute it to family and friends. Click on the thumbnail to view full flyer.

Led by Swami Nikhilanand Ji of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), Barsana Dham Ashram, founded by Shree Swami Prakashanand Saraswati.

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Presents 'Basics of Hinduism for Children & Their Parents'

Seperate Instructions for Adults and Youth

Presented by Rajdhani Mandir
45 – Pleasant Valley Road,
Chantilly, VA 20151, USA (MAP LOOKUP)

Swami Nikhilanand left behind his Western beliefs and chose to adopt Hinduism as a young man. He travelled to India and studied in the ashrams of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, learning Hindi, Sanskrit, and the essence of the prime Bhartiya scriptures (Upnishads, Darshan Shastras, Gita, Bhagwatam). When the time came, his Guruji, Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, gave him the order of sanyas.

Since then, Swami Nikhilanand has lectured throughout the U.S., inspiring audiences with his clear and practical representation of our Hindu dharm.

Happy Diwali from Barsana Dham Ashram

The Barsana Dham Temple in Austin, one of the largest Hindu Ashram centers in North America, is hosting its Diwali Celebration today that revels in the spiritual side of the event. It begins with a dinner prasad, and continues with chanting of Diwali pads in the Temple, and concludes with a grand fireworks display and devotional dancing. It also features a Rangoli contest for the children and a “Snack and Sweets” booth. A special video message from founder Shree Swamiji is being shown during the Divali program.

Driftwood — Barsana Dham opens its doors to the community Saturday for the annual ‘Festival of Lights’ celebration called Divali.

Barsana Dham Ashram Divali 2009

On Saturday Barsana Dham welcomes everyone to enjoy this festive Hindu occasion.

The evening begins with a vegetarian meal served at 6 p.m. Temple tours will be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. At 7:30 p.m the temple program will begin and features the “lighting the light” ceremony where State representatives and prominent community leaders will take part.

The evening continues with traditional songs and a multimedia presentation of Barsana Dham’s founders which will be narrated by Prabhakari Devi, a teacher of Barsana Dham.

The program will then move outside for a fireworks display at 9 p.m., followed by a live band playing Indian songs for a group Indian-style square dance.

Thousands of multicolor twinkling lights covering the grounds, pools, fountains, and Temple create a festive atmosphere, and stalls of chai (Indian spiced tea), sweets and snacks will be available throughout the evening. The Driftwood Volunteer Fire Department will also be on hand for demonstrations.

There is no charge for the program. Barsana Dham is located at 400 Barsana Rd near Dripping Springs. For directions visit: www.BarsanaDham.org

Devotees of Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, had the chance to experience the Divine loving Graciousness of Shree Radha Rani in their life – family and friends came together to celebrate the thrilling occasion of Radha Ashtmi at Barsana Dham.

The village of Barsana in India is the Divine Janm Bhoomi of Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani. The ancient Shreeji Mandir represents the actual palace where Radha Rani lived and played during Her descension on this earth. Apart from this, our Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani temple is the only such temple in the world that represents the original Divine-loving absoluteness of Shree Radha and the complete oneness of Radha Krishn.

The supreme power of Divine love, Radha Rani, Graced Barsana, India with Her presence. The same Divine Graciousness in the form of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj has manifested Barsana Dham in the USA.

A few pictures of the festivities-

Joyous Leela Performance

Joyous Leela Performance 2

Spiritual Discourse Led by Sushree Prabhakari Devi Ji

Everyone took turns to swing baal Radha

 

Barsana Dham’s Festive Janmasthmi Celebrations

Barsana Dham Janmashtmi 2009

AUSTIN: Families from all over Texas celebrated Krishna Janmashtami at Barsana Dham on August 15. Over 2,000 people enjoyed the elaborate and devotional program. Swami Nikhilanand lead the satsang inside the packed Barsana Dham temple while outside a special youth satsang had over 500 kids and some parents gathered on the front lawn. The youth program included a puppet performance of Krishna’s appearance, stories from the Bhagwatam, quiz questions, visits from the leela performers, Brahma and young Krishn and Sushree Prabhakari Devi spoke and taught the children the “Govinda Gokul Ayo” kirtan. At 8:30pm the youth joined the program inside the temple for a beautiful Orissi dance performance of Krishna leelas. And the charming performances by the Barsana Dham theatre troupe enacting Baby Krishna’s appearance, Gracing Brahma, and teasing the Gopis.

Chanting continued until midnight arti while people swung baby Krishn in a flower covered jhula. During Radhashtmi, the appearance day of Radha Rani the Divine loving Graciousness of Shree Radha Rani poured on all who came to celebrate. Four buses from Texas and Florida brought hundreds more to join in. The program included lively kirtan, a beautiful jhanki of Shree Radha Rani’s appearance and a leela showing when Shree Krishn and Radha Rani first meet.

The JKP Barsana Dham Houston satsang group joined in the Houston Janmashtami at the George Brown Convention Center, August 29th. The upcoming programs at Barsana Dham are: Diwali, October 17; Govardhan Puja, October 18; Family Camp Thanksgiving Weekend and our Annual Winter Family Camp December 26-January 1.

For more information www.BarsanaDham.org and/or contact 512-288-7180 x323.

Swami Prakashanand Saraswati

There are over a billion Hindus in the world. Additionally there are millions of people in the United States and other countries who have benefited from Hindu practices of yoga and meditation. The knowledge contained in Hindu scriptures imparts reverence and respect for life. They explain the nature of the mind, the cosmic manifestation, the soul, and Divinity. Most importantly they teach practical guidelines for evolving our spiritual qualities and natural love for God.

One of the most appealing factors inherent within Hindu faith is tolerance and respect for other religions. When teachings in the name of religion become dogmatic and fanatical they distort the truth and become a path of destruction. In contrast when spirituality is lived – life becomes enriched. A person whose heart glows with Divine love, who has clarity of thought, whose mind is established in devotion, and whose aim of life therefore transcends personal ambitions is an asset to society. These are the very qualities that the teachings of true Hinduism imbibe.

As a teacher of Hindu philosophy I often encounter misunderstandings and misconceptions about this most ancient religion, for instance the notion that Hindus worship many Gods, when actually, Hinduism is a monotheistic faith and worship is of one supreme God Who has many forms and also has impersonal aspect. There are detailed descriptions in our scriptures of the various forms of God and Goddess that represent different Divine powers. Shiv, Durga, Ganesh, Mahavishnu, Mahalakchmi, Bhagwan Ram, Sitaji and Radha Krishn are some of the prime forms. A person has complete freedom to love and relate to any one of them, while respecting all because they are all forms of one single God.

Barsana Dham Austin Elephants

If you asked the hundreds of children eating snow cones, playing carnival games, getting balloons twisted and their faces painted, what they liked best about the Barsana Dham MELA, you’d get a consistent answer, “Riding the elephants!”

Faces glowed as kids and adults were tossed back and forth on the back of the elephants as they carried the passengers around the front lawn of the Barsana Dham Temple. The MELA was held Saturday, April 25th at Barsana Dham.

Plenty of attractions kept the 6,000 attendees entertained at the only ‘authentic Indian Fair’ in the area. There was something for everyone to enjoy at Barsana Dham such as Mehndi hand painting, Indian dance and music performances, an open-air bazaar selling a variety of Indian clothes and jewelry, crafts, games, a petting zoo, train and pony rides, Indian fortune telling, and numerous Indian food booths.

Along with enjoying the festive activities, the attendees also had the opportunity to learn about Hinduism from the teachers of Barsana Dham. “Hinduism, Myth or Fact” was presented as well as a speech on the Bhagwad Gita, a Hindu scripture that teaches how to live spiritually while involved in the duties of life.

This Sunday, a sanyasi teacher at Barsana Dham, will deliver an interesting discourse on “Devotional Confidence”.  The speech will be held during satsang on Sunday May 3rd at 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to come to Barsana Dham and attend the satsang, lecture and Volunteer Recognition picnic.

From 11:00am-11:30 am the sanyasi teacher will teach the Barsana Dham Youth Class. We will be watching the next series of the Krishn videos and completing worksheets. After 11:30 am, the Barsana Dham youth class will prepare dessert that will be served at the Volunteer Recognition picnic.

Recent pictures from Barsana Dham -

Devotees playing holi at Barsana Dham

Joyous Shivratri Celebration at Barsana Dham

Barsana Dham is offering a program aimed at educating both parents and youth in the fundamentals of Hindu philosophy. Swami Nikhilanand, a sanyasi student of H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, will present an interactive class for adults and children called “Forms of God in Hinduism”.

“Since the class, I feel like I have the understanding to talk to people who have questions about my religion. Before, although I felt the greatness of Hindu religion, I didn’t have the knowledge to explain it to anyone else,” says Rohit Sharma, 30, of Queens, NY wh attended a previous class. “After Swami Nikhilanand’s class, my children’s interest in Hinduism has peaked. They loved it. They had fun and they learned more about Hinduism than they ever knew before”, added Raj Jhaveri, father of two from Long Island, NY.

Swami Nikhilanand left behind his Western beliefs and chose to adopt Hinduism as a young man. He traveled to India and studied in the ashrams of Swami Prakashanand Saraswatij, learning Hindi, Sanskrit, and the essence of the prime Bhartiya scriptures (Upnishads, Darshan Shastras, Gita, Bhagwatam). When the time came, his Guruji gave him the order of sanyas. Since then, Swami Nikhilanand has lectured throughout the U.S., inspiring audiences with his clear and practical representation of our Hindu dharm. When he is not in India furthering his studies, he travels and lectures in the New York and Washington, D.C. areas.

Class: Forms of God in Hinduism.

Date: April 26th, 2009.

Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 noon.

Location: Austin Hindu Temple & Community Center, 9801 Decker Lake Rd., Austin, TX. 78724.

More Information: Uma Gupta (512) 507-3445.

It was a beautiful day and a group of 25 volunteers from Barsana Dham went to Williamson Creek Park on the Greenbelt to clean up trash on Saturday, April 4th from 9-11am. We all worked together on one stretch of the river and felt grateful to have this opportunity to give back to the community. The entire group consisted of 73 people, and all together 2,860 lbs of trash was collected.

Devotee Volunteers from Barsana Dham
After the clean-up, we went to Waterloo Park for a festival. We received T-shirts, lunch and there were exhibits and family activities to see and do.

View of Barsana Dham

Barsana Dham
The Barsana Dham, located on the aptly named Barsana Road, was founded in 1990, and opened in 1995 by His Divinity Swami Prakashanand Saraswati. The temple enjoys an ample construction with over 30,000 square feet surrounded by lush gardens, a holy pond, and an intricate tower marked with gleaming golden doors. The superb architecture is decorated with many fine stone carvings and evokes the traditional atmosphere of Hindu worship.

Devotional Meditation at Barsana Dham

Set in Austin’s “Hill Country,” the temple grounds are landscaped and adorned to resemble the holy land of Braj, in India; Govardhan Hill offers details such as beautiful flowers and foliage peppered with animal statuary to create a peaceful pastoral scene for reflection.

Picnicing at Barsana Dham

The congregational community at the Barsana Dham is small but very open to newcomers and curious visitors alike; services are available for everyone who believes in God. Children are welcome, though they must be accompanied by their guardians at all times; meat, pets, tobacco, and alcohol are not permitted on the temple property, nor is photography allowed inside the building. Schedule and contact information is available online. The joy and serenity of belonging to a spiritual community that fits your beliefs and enriches your way of life are qualities well worth waiting for; when your search is complete and you’ve found the Austin congregation right for you, your fulfillment will flourish.

Oak Hill Gazzette, April 22nd

Fun at the Barsana Dham Mela

Barsana Dham’s annual Indian Mela (Fair) is set for Saturday, April 25th, from 12 noon to 5:00 PM. This year’s event will feature Elephant rides, traditional food and snacks, shopping bazaar, live Indian dance and music performances.

Organizers say attendees will feel like they are in a real Indian fair in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Fair goers can have their hands decorated with elaborate mehndi patterns, purchase unique clothing, jewelry, artwork, and try their luck at the dunk tank. There will be favorite Indian delicacies like samosas, lassi, rasgula, bhel puri and more. Games prizes, inflatable rides, petting zoo, pony rides, trackless train, roving balloon artist Nate the Great and clown extraordinaire Bonzo Crunch will be there.

This year, the teachers of Barsana Dham will present interactive sessions: “Hinduism, Myth vs. Fact”, “Introduction to Chanting Meditation” and give a walking tour of Barsana Dham. Cultural music and dance will be performed on the outdoor stage ending with a Sarod and Tabla concert.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Mela at Barsana Dham, located at 400 Barsana Rd. on FM 1826 (Camp Ben McCullough Rd.). Admission is $5.00 per car. For more information, visit the Barsana Dham Web site at http://www.barsanadham.org or call (512) 288-7180.

Barsana Dham - A taste of India

Most expect that to be able to see a true Hindu temple you would have to travel to . . . well . . . India, or at least a country in which Hinduism is a more dominant religion. But that’s not necessarily true. Throughout the years, as immigration has become more common, Hindu temples have been erected wherever believers have settled, including in America, including in Texas.

The Barsana Dham is located just south of Austin in the hill country. It was built in 1990 and today is the main U.S. center of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, a holy man in Hinduism born in 1922 in Mangarh village. It is said that all who saw his sweet smile and serene look loved Jagadguru Kripaul Parishat from the start. His virtues and intelligence were lauded from a young age, particularly when, at age 14, he traveled to Indore to study Sanskrit literature and mastered every topic he chose to tackle. At age 16, Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat finished school and took up his Divine nature. He spent the rest of his life, which continues on today, teaching the people of India and all who would listen about his beliefs and ideals as a divine and devout Hindu man.

In 1990, Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat gave his blessing for the creation of Barsana Dham. It was designed on a 200-acre property to be a representation of the holy land of Braj, where Shree Radha Rani and Shree Krishn appeared more than 5,000 years ago. Those who visit it are meant to take from the Temple and its surroundings a sense of serenity and calm that often cannot be found in the outside world. It is also hoped that visitors will walk away having learned of the knowledge of the Vedas, the Gita and the Bhagwatam, as well as the process of divine love consciousness, the energy Hindus believe unites one man’s soul with the Supreme God.

Every year, all the major Hindu festivals are celebrated at Barsana Dham in the traditional style. For example, in September, Radha Ashtmi is celebrated. This is a day commemorating when Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani descended into Barsana. The celebration begins with chanting of the leelas and virtues of the goddess, followed by more chanting and praying and a prepared lunch. It is a day in which many in the United States come to celebrate, just as all of the other Hindu festivals are from Mela Fair to Maha Shivrati to Jhulan Leela.

Truly, Barsana Dham is not a place to be missed when you are in Austin, regardless of whether you are there for religious or simply tourist purposes. But do be aware that the visiting hours are compact; general visiting is only permitted between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., daily. At those times, all may visit the holy places, view the temple architecture and take in the beautiful culture living within the site. At other times of the day, holy services are taking place and it is requested that general visitors not roam the grounds.

About the Author:

About the Author:
Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas REALTOR. Other articles written by the author related to Austin REMAX Realtor Blog and Austin Real Estate Agent can be found on the net.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Barsana Dham: A Taste of India in Austin