About the Temple
This temple has a specialty in Pustimargi Vaishnav, located in Schuylkill County in the United States.
The property in which the temple is located is worth a million dollars that covers up to 300 acres of the plot with over 1 lakh Hindu Devotees that visit the temple.
The main motive of the temple was to gather the young Hindu residents of the United States.
The founders of Vraj wanted to teach the young generation about Indian culture.
They wanted the youth to learn the traditional value system of India.
This temple was a place of meditation and Yoga center before 1987.
Sri Govind Bhikhabhai Shah, the main founder of this temple, purchased this place with the help of 29 other members.
In 1988, the temple became an official Hindu pilgrimage with the introductory Patotsav celebration.
Brief History
During ancient times, Vallabha (Known as Acharya of the Hindu tradition) found a picture of Shrinathji.
This picture was completely ruined with only one arm obtruding above the surface.
Vallabha identifies the image and is associated with Lord Krishna. He then enshrined the deity and started a normal prototype of worship.
About temple architecture
The architecture of the temple is extraordinary, it is no less than a Royal Indian Palace.
The temple is an example of Imperial Rajasthani Savour, with a pristine lake attached to the temple spread vivaciously over 300 acres of land.
The temple walls have beautiful paintings of stories and epics depicting the life of Shri Krishna and others associated with him.
The temple has a beautiful and well-maintained Garden
Deity of the temple
Lord Shri Krishna is the main deity of the temple.
Mandir Timings
| Every day throughout the year |
7.30 am to 7.30 pm |
Daily Special Darshans and Rituals in the order of prevalence
| Name of the Pooja |
Significance |
| Mandala |
Preformed at the start of the day |
| Shringar |
Starts with dressing up Shrinathji with new attire every day
Decoration with jewels and Garland and Neckpiece |
| Raajbhog |
The offering of various types of sweets as the main spread of the day |
| Utthapan |
It’s the time the deity is believed to wake up from the afternoon nap and be ready for the next poojas |
| Sandhya Aarti |
Commencement of evening prayers |
| Shayan |
The final prayer of the day, which is celebrated with music, bhajans, and kirtans |
Daily Services and their Costs
| Daily Service |
Cost |
| Mangal Bhog |
$84 |
| Palna |
$151 |
| Raajbhog |
$301 |
| Dhajaji |
$251 |
| Raajbhog and Bhajaji |
$401 |
| Giriraj Dhudabhishek |
$21 |
| Yamunaji Aarti |
$71 |
| Whole day pooja |
$451 |
| Whole day seva with dhajaji |
$551 |
| Flowers pooja |
$101 |
| Milk seva |
| Fruits and Paan seva |
$51 |
Festivals celebrated in the temple
- Special “Annakut” festival: The word Annakut means Mountain of Food. This festival is celebrated as a part of Diwali.
This ritual is offered to Lord Krishna along with other deities (Gods and Goddesses) by serving a wide variety of food.
About Vraj Hindu Temple’s Youth Foundation
Vraj contains a youth group consisting of young volunteers and students (ages 16 to 28) from all over the USA with the following activities
-
- Vraj youths are involved in all occasions offered by the temple such as prayers, food distribution, festive celebrations, or other social services.
- Annual Vraj Youth Summer Camps: Youth of different age groups get together to work here to enjoy a week of fun listed below
| Activity |
Time |
| Wakeup call |
6.30 am |
| Morning walk/yoga/Mandala darshan |
7.00 am -8.00 am |
| Breakfast |
8.00 am to 9.00 am |
| Shower |
9.00 am to 10.00 am |
| Classes (Gujarati, Culture, and Religious) |
10.00 am to 12.15 pm |
| Free time in the temple campus |
12.15 pm to 1.00 pm |
| Other activities |
1.00 pm to 4.00 pm |
| Snacks |
4.00 pm |
| Skit Preparation |
4.00 pm to 6.00 pm |
| Dinner |
6.00 pm to 7.00 pm |
| Campfire and music |
7.30 pm to 9.00 pm |
| Lights out |
9.30 pm |
If the listed information is incorrect or If you know more information about this temple,
Please let us know through the mail to sakalamblog@gmail.com, We will change it so other devotees will know the correct information.
Also, If you could send the photos of the temple, we will upload it for devotees references.
