Vraj Hindu Temple facts for kids
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The Vraj Hindu Temple is a special place for Hindu people. It is located in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. This temple is very large, covering about 100 acres of land.
Many people call Vraj "Nootan Nandalay." This means it is a home for God Shrinathji. Shrinathji is a form of the Hindu god Krishna. About 100,000 visitors come to Vraj every year.
At Vraj, you can find daily prayers called Darshans. The temple also hosts yearly events. Young people can even volunteer there. The Vraj Hindu Temple is part of the Pushtimarg Vaishnav group.
History of Vraj Temple
Before 1987, the land where Vraj Temple now stands was a yoga center. In the summer of 1987, a person named Govind Bhikhabhai Shah, also known as Kaka, bought the land. Twenty-nine other people helped him.
The temple officially opened in November 1988. This was during a special event called the Patotsav Celebration. It was the first time Shrinathji was present at Vraj.
Daily Prayers: Darshans
The Vraj Temple has daily prayer events called Darshans. A Darshan is a special time in the temple. It happens six times every day. Each Darshan has its own feeling and style.
- Mangala: This prayer happens at the start of the day. It brings good luck for the day ahead.
- Shringar: During this time, Shrinathji is dressed in special clothes. A flower garland is placed around his neck.
- Raajbhoog: This is the main meal of the day for the deity. It includes many different kinds of sweets.
- Utthapan: This prayer is for when Shrinathji is believed to wake up. It happens after an afternoon rest.
- Sandhya Arati: This is an evening prayer. It involves a special light ceremony.
- Shayan: This is the final prayer of the day. It includes music and drumming.
Vraj Youth Group
Vraj has a special group for young people. These are volunteers and students from all over the United States. The group helps young people serve their community. It also helps them learn about Indian heritage.
Most Vraj youth members are between 16 and 28 years old. They are often in high school, college, or starting their careers.
The Vraj youth help with many temple events. This includes prayers, food preparation, and festive celebrations. They also help with other community services.
The Vraj youth group also runs annual summer camps. These are called Vraj Youth Camp. Young people of different ages come together. They enjoy a fun week of activities.
