| Most expect that to be able to see a true Hindu | | | | its surroundings a sense of serenity and calm that |
| temple you would have to travel to . . . well . . . India, | | | | often cannot be found in the outside world. It is also |
| or at least a country in which Hinduism is a more | | | | hoped that visitors will walk away having learned of |
| dominant religion. But that’s not necessarily true. | | | | the knowledge of the Vedas, the Gita and the |
| Throughout the years, as immigration has become | | | | Bhagwatam, as well as the process of divine love |
| more common, Hindu temples have been erected | | | | consciousness, the energy Hindus believe unites one |
| wherever believers have settled, including in America, | | | | man’s soul with the Supreme God. |
| including in Texas. | | | | Every year, all the major Hindu festivals are |
| The Barsana Dham is located just south of Austin in | | | | celebrated at Barsana Dham in the traditional style. |
| the hill country. It was built in 1990 and today is the | | | | For example, in September, Radha Ashtmi is |
| main U.S. center of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, a holy | | | | celebrated. This is a day commemorating when Shree |
| man in Hinduism born in 1922 in Mangarh village. It is | | | | Raseshwari Radha Rani descended into Barsana. The |
| said that all who saw his sweet smile and serene look | | | | celebration begins with chanting of the leelas and |
| loved Jagadguru Kripaul Parishat from the start. His | | | | virtues of the goddess, followed by more chanting |
| virtues and intelligence were lauded from a young | | | | and praying and a prepared lunch. It is a day in which |
| age, particularly when, at age 14, he traveled to | | | | many in the United States come to celebrate, just as |
| Indore to study Sanskrit literature and mastered | | | | all of the other Hindu festivals are from Mela Fair to |
| every topic he chose to tackle. At age 16, Jagadguru | | | | Maha Shivrati to Jhulan Leela. |
| Kripalu Parishat finished school and took up his Divine | | | | Truly, Barsana Dham is not a place to be missed |
| nature. He spent the rest of his life, which continues | | | | when you are in Austin, regardless of whether you |
| on today, teaching the people of India and all who | | | | are there for religious or simply tourist purposes. But |
| would listen about his beliefs and ideals as a divine | | | | do be aware that the visiting hours are compact; |
| and devout Hindu man. | | | | general visiting is only permitted between 8:30 a.m. |
| In 1990, Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat gave his blessing | | | | and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., daily. At those |
| for the creation of Barsana Dham. It was designed | | | | times, all may visit the holy places, view the temple |
| on a 200-acre property to be a representation of the | | | | architecture and take in the beautiful culture living |
| holy land of Braj, where Shree Radha Rani and Shree | | | | within the site. At other times of the day, holy |
| Krishn appeared more than 5,000 years ago. Those | | | | services are taking place and it is requested that |
| who visit it are meant to take from the Temple and | | | | general visitors not roam the grounds. |