Radha Madhav Dham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Radha Madhav Dham
Barsana Dham
Radha Madhav Dham in 2014
Geography
Coordinates	30°9′20″N 97°57′28″W / 30.15556°N 97.95778°W / 30.15556; -97.95778
Country	United States
State	Texas
Locale	Near Austin

Radha Madhav Dham, also known as Barsana Dham, is a large Hindu temple and spiritual center in the United States. It is located on over 200 acres of land near Austin, Texas. This special place is the main U.S. center for Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), a worldwide Hindu organization.

Radha Madhav Dham is the oldest Hindu temple in Texas. It is also one of the largest Hindu temples in North America. It is a non-profit group that focuses on religion, education, and charity. The temple follows a spiritual path called raganuga bhakti. JKP Education, a part of the temple's work, even won the Nelson Mandela Peace Award in 2014 for its educational projects.

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj was an important Indian religious leader. He founded Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP). JKP has five main spiritual centers called ashrams. Four are in India, and one is in the United States. Radha Madhav Dham is the main JKP ashram for the U.S. The temple was first started by Prakashanand Saraswati. In 2011, the temple changed its leadership. Since then, the temple has focused on moving forward as a religious community.

History of Radha Madhav Dham

Radha Madhav Dham, originally called Barsana Dham, opened in 1990. It became the main U.S. center for the International Society of Divine Love. This society was founded in the 1970s. The temple was built to feel like the holy land of Braj in India. Hindus believe that Radha and Krishna appeared in Braj over 5,000 years ago.

A Place for Pilgrimage and Peace

Radha Madhav Dham is designed as a place for spiritual journeys in America. Many areas within the Dham are perfect for quiet meditation. Parts of Braj, like Govardhan and Radha Kund, are recreated here. A natural stream called Kalindi represents the Yamuna river of Vrindaban. In January 2024, News9live listed Radha Madhav Dham as one of the ten famous Hindu temples outside of India.

Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple

The Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple is part of Radha Madhav Dham. It was the first Hindu temple built in Austin, Texas. It is also one of the largest Hindu temples in the USA. The temple building covers about 35,000 square feet. It has a beautiful 90-foot-high golden dome on top.

Temple Design and Art

The main prayer hall inside the temple is very special. It has pictures that show lessons from old Hindu scriptures. These pictures have captions in both Sanskrit and English. The ideas from Hindu scriptures are shown on a long panel along the hall's sides. The ceiling is painted to look like a realistic sky.

The temple's design mixes different styles. It combines architecture from North and South India with modern touches. Two architects from India designed it. The 90-foot-tall dome is made of white and blue granite and gold. The temple's tower has a traditional shape. It is built from granite, which is different from many Indian temples that use sandstone.

Craftsmanship and Durability

Fifteen skilled artists from South India hand-carved the temple's shrine. They decorated the pillars and ceilings with peacocks and flower designs. The building has 84 columns and five levels. It covers 35,000 square feet. Special building methods were used to make sure the temple lasts for over a thousand years. The temple grounds are also beautiful. They have a peach orchard, gardens with roses, jasmine, and marigolds, and peacocks walking around.

Community and Gatherings

Festivals and celebrations at the temple can attract up to 8,000 people. The temple and ashram are a hub for traditional Indian cultural events and weddings. Weekly services are held every Sunday morning from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A community lunch follows these services. About 1,000 families attend Radha Madhav Dham. Most of these families are Indian, but some are Westerners or from the Caribbean.

Festivals and Celebrations

Radha Madhav Dham celebrates all the major Hindu festivals. These events bring thousands of visitors. The temple hosts one of the biggest Janmashtami celebrations in North America. To honor the yearly Rath Yatra festival, October 27, 2001, was named 'Radha Rani Rath Yatra Day'. This was declared by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. Many other Mayors of Austin and the Governor of Texas have visited the temple. About 50,000 people, both Indian and Western, take part in the lessons and religious programs.

Retreats and Family Camps

Throughout the year, the temple offers special programs. These include weekend family retreats and mini-intensives. There are also weekend seva retreats, where people volunteer. These programs offer classes in Hindi, yoga, and Indian dance. Radha Madhav Dham is known as a great place to relax and reflect.

Educational Tours and Programs

The temple also gives tours for schools and other groups. In 2007, National Geographic featured the temple and ashram. It was listed in "The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life." Radha Madhav Dham also organizes free family camps. They offer "Basics of Hinduism" courses in other Hindu temples. These are held in cities like Dallas, Houston, Washington, D.C., and New York.

Yoga and New Year Retreats

Every fall, the Texas Yoga Retreat takes place at the ashram. This event lets over 250 yoga fans experience ashram life. Radha Madhav Dham also organizes a New Year retreat. This weekend stay includes relaxation and meditation. Families are welcome to join the yoga classes and meditation sessions. A 24-hour continuous chant, called Akhand Sankirtan, happens from noon on New Year's Eve.

Charitable Activities

Radha Madhav Dham helps people in need. They opened their doors to people who had to leave their homes during Hurricane Katrina. They also raised money to help after the hurricane. In September 2008, the temple started a fundraiser for victims of the flooding in Bihar. Their first goal was to raise $150,000 for relief. In the same month, hundreds of people escaping Hurricane Ike found food and shelter at Radha Madhav Dham.

Local and Global Support

Radha Madhav Dham is active in many local and global charity efforts. This includes helping to fix homes in Central Texas. They also support flood relief in India. The temple helps run hospitals overseas. In 2005, the temple hosted 300–400 people who had to leave their homes because of Hurricane Rita. Radha Madhav Dham has also organized charity walks in Dallas. These walks raise money for its $2.3 million Kripalu Charitable Hospital in Barsana, India. This hospital opened in 2008.

Healthcare Initiatives

Besides the hospital in Barsana, JKP Radha Madhav Dham's center in India opened another 'Kripalu Charitable Hospital' in Mangarh in 2003. This hospital offers free diagnostic exams, treatment, and surgeries. It also provides free hospitalization, emergency services, and medicine to many patients daily. Eye camps and programs for mothers and children have also been set up across India. These provide free eye exams, cataract surgery, and polio vaccines to those who need them.

Community Engagement

Radha Madhav Dham takes part in services with other religions. These include Austin Area Interreligious ministries and Hindu-Jewish Solidarity Day. They also work with PBS's Many Voices project. In 1993, the organization was chosen to represent Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions.

Images for kids

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  Radha Madhav Dham in 2014