Vraj Hindu Temple
1. Overview Vraj Hindu Temple is located in Schuykill County in eastern Pennsylvania. It is a multimillion dollar temple or haveli covering 300 acres of the land. The purpose of this temple is to spread Hindu religion in USA and allow younger generations to carry love, dedication, devotion and servitude towards their culture. Vraj is also known as Noontan Nadalaya, and adobe for God ShriNathji (a manifestation of God Krishna). Vraj has over 100,000 Hindus a year as pilgrimage. Vraj offers daily prayers (Darshans), annual events and volunteer opportunities for youth to serve their community. 2. History Vraj Hindu Temple was found in 1988 by the religious group from Harvard University who were practicing Hinduism. Basically, Vraj known previously as Institute of Indian Heritage was found to fulfill the religious and spiritual, social and cultural for the needs of the Hindu Community of North America. 3. Purpose The purpose of this temple is basically to transform or pass on the Hinduism’s religious and cultural value to younger generation who are living in USA and are very less exposed to it. Founders of Vraj earnestly believed that in today’s world it has become essential for any temple to transform itself into an establishment of facilities that encourages society’s religious, spiritual, social and cultural needs. Over the years, Vraj has provided significant fill up in the gap between generations and two different worlds (India – America).
4. Darshans (Prayer Events) DARSHAN is a sanctum that is organized six times a day (everyday) as different prayers for the people who strongly religious to experience deep joy and love. Each Darshan has a special mood, emotion, apparel, music melodies and food. Magala, Shringar, Rajbhog, Utthapan, Sandhya Arati and Shayan are types of different Darshans organized each day. Each darshan is part of God Shirnathji’s typical day spiritual activity and it is celebrated by humans like us. Mangala – The mangala underline the auspiciousness of the beginning the day with a glimpse of the Lord. Shirngar – God Shirnathji is dressed carefully from head to foot and a flower garland is placed around his neck. Raajbhoog – The main meal of the day is offered to God with hundreds types of sweet. Utthapan – God Shrinathji is waking up from afternoon siesta. Sandhya Arati – It is an evening prayer (Sandhay Arati) with light garland. Shayan – It is a celebration with god including music melodies and drumming heralds for the final prayer of the day as God is about to retire for the night. 5. Vraj Youth Vraj is small organization coordinated by young volunteers and students from all over the USA. Their purpose is to engage the young Hindu community with religious and cultural values. Vraj youth committee was designed to k enthusiastic, idea-brimming and organized self-starters. Most of the Vraj youth are students from High School and Colleges from age of 16 to 28. The first Vraj Youth Executive Board was introduced in 2005, and from there, the stage has been set for the future of the Vraj Youth Committee.
The Board has proven itself as a permanent and vital part of the Vraj family. You can see around Vraj Mandir and other parts of the country, playing an active role in the future progression and development of Vraj. The Board is dedicated to preserving and nurturing the intellectual, spiritual and cultural development of Hindu youth by encouraging service to our community and broadening knowledge of our Indian heritage. Vraj youth are involved in all occasions offered from the temple such as prayers, food, festive celebrations or any other community services. Vraj youth also organizes the biggest event of the year called Vraj Youth Camp which last for a week. In this camp, young students and volunteer would live in Camp and get involved in all religious and cultural activities. Guru is invited to give religious tips and lessons to the young community. Other fun activities are also organized to help young generation with their communication skill and to improve their religious practice.
http://www.vraj.org