SUMMIT STATION - More than 20,000 Hindus from throughout North America are expected to have visited the Vraj Temple by the conclusion of the holy month known as Adhik-Mass on Sept. 16.
"It may not be quite on the banks of River Yamuna in India," said Dr. Ravi Rustagi, an adjunct instructor of math and engineering at Penn State Schuylkill campus and a Vraj volunteer, in an email regarding the event. "However, the ornately built facilities at Vraj have combined to turn it into a venue where thousands of American-Indian devotees would be attending the month-long celebration to imbibe the authentic bhav (religious feelings) of Vraj land and the Giriraj Mountain Temple in India, where more than 5,000 years ago many divine lilas (acts) were performed by Lord Krishna."
Literally meaning "extra month" in Sanskrit, the sacred language of Hinduism, Adhik-Maas occurs every three years as the Hindu lunar calendar needs an average of 29 1/2 more days to bring the lunar and solar years into agreement and keep the seasonal cycles in order.
At the haveli at Vraj Temple in Washington Township, celebrations began on Aug. 18 and will conclude with a sacred feast called Chhappan Bhog on Sept. 16.
Rustagi said several hundred Baishnav devotees will be staying at the temple site for the entire celebration, while 20,000 more are expected to visit during the weekend events. He also said several scholars from India were invited to give religious speeches.
Founded in 1989 by Indian immigrants, the Vraj compound consists of 265 acres along Route 895 in Wayne Township. Devotees are members of the Pushti Marg denomination and worship Sri Nathji, the child form of Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, the second member of the Hindu trinity. Krishna first appeared in the holy land of Vraj Bhumi in India more than 5,000 years ago.
Rustagi said the spiritual and cultural retreat is the largest Pushti Marg temple on the East Coast.
The complex has three floors and contains an auditorium and social room on the first floor. The main temple is on the second floor and the chief priest resides on the top floor.
During Adhik-Maas, Hindus come to the temple to worship together to receive the benefit of collective prayers. Hindu scripture advises that good deeds, or satkarmas, done at this time are of extra merit.
"The story of Adhik-Maas is embellished with testimonials of devotees who have achieved miraculous feats by performing stakarmas during this month," Rustagi said.
He said these deeds include waking up at 5 a.m., bathing in sacred rivers, doing yoga for physical and mental purity, doing charity work and eating light meals only once a day.
Rustagi said bhava, meaning devotion, feelings and emotions, is more important than rituals.
"As a minimum, devotees constantly chant the holy name of Krishna, Shri Krishnah Sharnam Mam, and not idle away the time," he said. "That is why great importance is laid on camping at the sacred temple sites like Vraj in order to derive the benefit of collective prayer."
The Vraj Temple is open to the public throughout the year, including the extra-month event. For more information about the temple or the celebration of Adhik-Maas, visit www.vraj.org or call 570-754-7067.
