Barsana Dham

Barsana Dham Ashram

There is a saying in India "na bhutto na bhavishyati" which came true at Barsana Dham, USA on October 7th and 8th 1995. It means an event which is so Divinely special that nothing like it has ever occurred in the past and it's so unique and extraordinary that it is not likely to happen soon in the near future.



With the Divine benevolence of His Divinity Swami Prakashanand Saraswati over 3000 devotees from around the world experienced this at the Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav, Deity establishement ceremony of Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani. It was something that will be remembered forever in the spiritual history of the world.



"This temple of Radha Rani - the name is Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple. Raseshwari comes from the Upanishads, and from all the Puranas and said by all the Rasik Saints of Braj. Raseshwari means the supreme absolute state of such a Divine love where even the Divine wisdom of God drowns. That state is called Mahabhao, that is Radha Rani, that is Shree Raseshwari." - His Divinity Shree Swami Prakashanand Saraswati.

"I have witnessed 15 or 16 temples' Pratishtha celebrations in last so many years, but today what we have witnessed here - it was unique, marvellous, matchless."

Authentic Indian Mela at Barsana Dham
22.APR.09



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.

The Barsana Dham: A Taste of India in Austin
by Joe Cline.



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.

Janeshwari Devi of Barsana Dham attended the recent Hindu Mandir Executives Conference. The conference gathered together some 250 Hindu leaders from across North America. After Devi's closing remarks about the proceedings of the conference, the President of Hindus of Greater Houston presented her with a donation to Barsana Dham. HGH and Barsana Dham work closely together to support Hindu programs and awareness in Texas. Pictured above: Devi with saints of the HMEC, and accepting the donation on behalf of Barsana Dham.

Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, founder of Barsana Dham, has explained that the vast collection of Bhartiya scriptures are a systematic line of teachings. They provide the guidelines for all kinds of people, having varying levels of purity of mind and receptivity for God, and lead them towards God realization.