Authentic Indian Mela at Barsana Dham

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 which will reveal more about the teachings of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. There will also be an Introduction to Chanting Meditation and walking tours to the holy places 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 www.barsanadham.org or call (512) 288-7180.

Sadhu Bhog with Shree Kripaluji Maharaj

Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj celebrated Sadhu Bhog on April 20th in memory of Ammaji. The occasion was a huge success with thousands and thousands of sadhus in attendance. The event took place in Vrindavan. I will post some pictures when I get them.

Barsana Dham - US ashram of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj

Barsana Dham: A Taste of India in Austin

Related Post: Precious Memories with Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj at Barsana Dham

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:

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